Man Impersonating Police Officer Makes Traffic Stop, Robs Victim

Authorities today sought the public’s help in identifying a man suspected of posing as a police officer when he made a traffic stop in San Clemente and stole a wallet, cellphone and keys from inside the victim’s vehicle.

A man said he saw red and blue flashing lights behind his vehicle as he traveled northbound on Interstate 5 about 9:20 p.m. Thursday, said Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock.

He exited the freeway and pulled over in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box restaurant at 2938 S. El Camino Real, Hallock said.

“Immediately after yielding, the victim was contacted by the suspect, who was extremely aggressive and ordered him out of the vehicle and to sit on the curb,” Hallock said. “While the victim was sitting on the curb, the suspect stole a wallet, cellphone and keys from inside the vehicle.”

The suspect was described as 25-35 years old with medium length hair and a thin mustache. He was dressed in SWAT-type clothing consisting of a black long-sleeved shirt and black pants with no visible patches, insignias or markings.

There were conflicting descriptions of the suspect’s vehicle, Hallock said, adding that the victim described it as a Ford Crown Victoria, similar to an unmarked vehicle commonly used by law enforcement agencies, but a witness described it as an Infiniti G35 or G37 with police-type lights on the dashboard.

“There was a second suspect seen in or near the suspect vehicle but the victim was unable to provide a description,” Hallock said.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation was urged to contact the sheriff’s South Investigations Unit at (949) 361-8224 or (714) 647- 7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.

--City News Service

PHOTO The above sketch is a composite image and not an actual photo depicting the suspect. Courtesy the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.