Man In Custody On Suspicion Of Impersonating Officer, Carrying Drugs And Gun In South OC

MISSION VIEJO, CA — One man was arrested for several charges after he was found impersonating a law enforcement officer in Mission Viejo, the Orange County Sheriff's Department reported.

Deputies were sent to the 23300 block of Bolivar on Friday, May 5 after receiving reports of a man in a dark sedan "who was looking into houses with binoculars," an OCSD statement read.

When the man was stopped by the responding deputy in his car, the driver said he worked for the Department of State and was apparently doing surveillance, authorities said.

"Displayed on the front passenger seat were two uniform patches and a metal badge, however, the man was unable to produce any legitimate law enforcement credentials or identification," the statement read.

When deputies searched his car, they reported finding a loaded handgun, drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in a hidden compartment in the center console of his car.

He was subsequently arrested and booked by Orange County deputies. He faces five charges, including: possession of a loaded firearm while possessing methamphetamine; possession of narcotics in a hidden compartment; possession of a loaded firearm/not the registered owner; impersonating a law enforcement officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was not identified by authorities.

No further information was immediately available.