Teen arrested in San Bernardino for impersonating a deputy sheriff
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (FOX 11) - On March 5, an unknown Hispanic male pulled into the driveway of a home in the 13600 block of Mica Avenue. He was driving a white Ford Explorer with flashing red and blue emergency lights, mounted on the inside of the front windshield. The Explorer had no law enforcement or other type of identifying markers, other than the emergency lights, and had no license plates.
The suspect exited the Explorer wearing a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department uniform with a firearm in the belt holster. He went to the front door and told the occupants he was there to investigate a reported domestic disturbance. The homeowner informed him there was no problem and they had not placed a call to the police. The suspect tried to open the door but the homeowner had locked it. The suspect returned to the Explorer and left the area after a brief exchange with the homeowner, who followed him to the driveway. Later, the homeowner notified police of that suspicious encounter.
The next day, on March 6, Sergeant J. Monroe saw a Ford Explorer matching the description of that involved in the incident. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and confirmed it was a match. The 14-year old great-grandson of the registered owner was detained and later identified as the suspect. During a search of the juvenile's home, Detectives found the uniform worn during the incident, as well as a large amount of counterfeit money, simulated firearms, ballistic vests and other law enforcement related items.
During the investigation, Detectives also learned the juvenile had two additional contacts the same night, posing as a law enforcement officer. He initiated a traffic stop on a red vehicle, driven by a black female adult, in the area of Amethyst Road. After obtaining the female's information he gave her a warning and let her go. The other incident occurred in the area of Cobalt Road. The suspect again activated the emergency lights mounted in the vehicle, causing a white male, approximately 16-years old, to come out of his house. The suspect again claimed to be investigating a domestic disturbance call. When he was told, there was no disturbance, the suspect left.
The suspect, who is on probation, was arrested and booked at High Desert Juvenile Detention Center.
Detectives are still trying to locate the other victims. If you have information about the female in the red car or the juvenile from the Cobalt Road incident, you are urged to call the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911 or Sheriff's Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
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