Man Poses as Police Officer to Commit Robberies NR09534rf

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Robbery-Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section, is investigating a series of street robberies that occurred over the past couple of months in various communities of the city that involve a suspect who impersonates a police officer.  

So far, at least four of these incidents have occurred: Sept. 26 and Oct. 16 (Rampart Area), Oct. 23 (Olympic Area) and Oct. 24 (Pacific Area).  The suspect, who has been operating in the late morning and early afternoon hours, approaches his victims dressed as a plain clothes police officer.  With a badge clipped to a gun belt, he identifies himself as a police officer and begins to search the victims to remove loose cash and/or wallets.

The suspect has been seen in various types of vehicles, including a gray 2005-2006 Pontiac Grand AM GT, a gold or tan 1998-2001 Mercury and a 2007-2009 gray-colored Buick. He is described as a 35- to 45-year-old male Hispanic, 6 feet tall, weighing 230 pounds.  He has been seen wearing a dark polo-style shirt and blue jeans.

This suspect is considered armed and dangerous, and detectives urge anyone who may have information about these crimes or who may have been a victim to contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division at (213) 485-2511.  After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on “Web Tips.”  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Alert in English  /  Spanish