Man Admits Pretending To Be Riverside Cop, Receives Probation

RIVERSIDE, CA — A 29-year-old man caught driving an SUV in Riverside sporting gear to make it look as if it was a law enforcement vehicle was on probation Wednesday.

Bryan Alfonso Rodriguez Villareal of Corona pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor charges of impersonating a peace officer and possession of controlled substances.

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Villareal submitted the plea Friday during his arraignment at the Riverside Hall of Justice before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Samra Furbush, who accepted it without input or objection from the District Attorney's Office.

The judge imposed a sentence of 12 months' probation and ordered the defendant to spend 40 days in a sheriff's work release program, during which he'll have to be gainfully employed, in school or engaged in volunteer service.

His brother, 30-year-old Alejandro Padilla Villareal of Corona, a convicted felon, was taken into custody around the same time on Sept. 16 and booked into the Robert Presley Jail for alleged probation violations.

He's being held without bail and is due in court for a probation revocation hearing on Thursday.

According to the Riverside Police Department, in the predawn hours of Sept. 16, a patrol unit spotted Bryan Villareal's Ford Explorer near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and McKinley Street, where an alleged traffic violation occurred, prompting officers to stop the SUV.

Detective Steve Espinosa said officers discovered the vehicle "had been equipped with lights and sirens, similar to those used on marked police vehicles."

"Based on the investigation, officers believe the Explorer may have been used to conduct illegal activity and impersonate police in the area of the Magnolia Corridor," Espinosa said.

No potential victims were identified.

Espinosa said a search warrant was obtained for the defendant's residence, where his older brother also resided.

"During the search, officers located four assault rifles, five handguns, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and high-capacity magazines," the police spokesman said.

Alejandro Villareal was taken into custody at the property without incident.

His prior criminal conduct was not disclosed.