Fake Police Officer Robs at least 4 People on the Streets

The LAPD is on the lookout for a man who impersonates a police officer and robs them. He's struck at least four times--twice in the Rampart area and once in Olympic and Pacific--over the last couple of months in various neighborhoods around the city. Usually operating in the late morning or early afternoon, he approaches victims dressed as a plain clothes police officer, complete with badge and gun. He'll search the victim and remove cash and wallets. He is described as a 35- to 45-year-old male Hispanic, 6 feet tall, weighing 230 pounds, seen wearing a dark polo-style shirt and blue jeans. However, the LAPD says he has used a few different vehicles including a gray 2005-2006 Pontiac Grand AM GT, a gold or tan 1998-2001 Mercury and a 2007-2009 gray-colored Buick.

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.