Alleged Cop Impersonator Heads To Court

TORRANCE (CNS) - A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of impersonating an officer after being pulled over in El Segundo in a vehicle found to be equipped like a police cruiser is expected to make his initial court appearance today.

Nicholas Aaron Robinson of Whittier was arrested by Manhattan Beach Police Department officers who pulled him over just after 9 p.m. Sunday in the area of Park Place and Sepulveda Boulevard in El Segundo for an unspecified traffic violation.

Robinson did not immediately stop and acted suspiciously when he was approached, according to Manhattan Beach police Sgt. Tim Zins.

"As the officers spoke to Robinson, they noticed police-style lights behind the rear view mirror in the windshield facing forward," Zins said. "After detaining Robinson, officers conducted a search of his vehicle and discovered it was equipped with a siren, air horn, an emergency light bar which had a red forward facing light, P.A. system, portable scanner, and the windows were tinted around the car.

"Officers also recovered a gun belt, police-style baton, handcuffs, a pellet gun and two security badges," the sergeant said.

Robinson was arrested on suspicion of "falsely representing himself as a public officer," Zins said. He was released on $20,000 bail on Monday, according to sheriff's jail records, which indicate he is due in a Torrance courtroom today.

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