Fire Chief Impersonated Police And Pulled People Over: LASD

WHITTIER, CA — The assistant chief of the La Habra Heights Fire Department is facing felony charges for allegedly impersonating a peace officer and using his department vehicle to make traffic stops, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Public Corruption Unit.

Timothy Peel, 34, was arrested Thursday at his home in the 15000 block of Danbrook Drive in Whittier on suspicion of false imprisonment and impersonating a peace officer. According to Deputy Alejandra Parra of the Sheriff's Information Bureau. Detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying any additional victims who may have been unlawfully detained by the suspect, Parras said.

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Peel allegedly used a white 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD pickup truck equipped with lights and a siren to conduct traffic stops. Detectives believe he detained an unknown number of people.

Peel was booked into the jail at the Norwalk Sheriff's Station on felony charges including impersonating a peace officer and false imprisonment, Parra said.

He was released from jail after posting $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear Monday at the Downey Courthouse.

Anyone who may have been detained by Peel was asked to call the sheriff's department at 213-229-1700. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service contributed to this report.