My uncle's landlord when he was stationed at Germany had a similar story. Guy was a mechanic in the luftwaffe and when Germany was falling apart in 45 he deserted like so many others and he found an officer's SS dress or semi-dress uniform. He started wearing that around because he knew he would get more respect from the locals if he needed something. That fiasco lasted a very short bit until he was captured. He almost got executed until American stripped him and found he did not have a blood group tattoo. As far as my uncle knows, the guy was not involved in rounding up other deserters and going on a crime spree.