Sex Offender Poses As Police Officer, Pulls Over Victim: Cops

CICERO, IL — Cicero Police arrested a registered sex offender who allegedly posed as a police officer to pull over a driver and attempt to lure them into his vehicle. Donato Valdez, 28, of the 5000 block of W. 29th Pl., Cicero, has been charged with attempted kidnapping, false impersonation of a peace officer, and two counts of unlawful restraint.

At approximately 2:40 a.m. Tuesday, Valdez allegedly "used an unknown flashing light to stop [the victim's] vehicle," Cicero spokesperson Ray Hanania said in an email. Wearing a police vest and badge, Valdez went up to the vehicle and told the driver he needed to conduct a field sobriety test, police say.

The victim complied and Valdez allegedly tried to get the victim into his vehicle, Hanania said, but the victim refused. Police say Valdez then said he would let the victim off with a warning.

Hanania said the victim later filed a police report identifying Valdez, who was taken into custody.

The Cicero Police Department is urging the public to contact police if they "may have been stopped and accosted by the subject." To report an incident, call Cicero Police at 708-652-2130.

>>Image via Cicero Police Department