Inland Empire man allegedly impersonates police officer
A man whose vehicle was equipped with police-type lights and other equipment was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer Saturday after he attempted to pull over a van in Moreno Valley, arousing the suspicion of a witness who called authorities.
Officers were called about 2:55 p.m. to the eastbound Moreno Valley (60) Freeway at Moreno Beach Drive after the witness saw the suspect, in a tan Chevrolet, activate police-type lights and try to pull over a van, said Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Brian DeMarco.
The witness, who was concerned the Chevrolet driver was not actually law enforcement because the vehicle had Louisiana license plates, pulled up behind the stopped vehicles, at which time the Chevrolet drove away, exiting at Moreno Beach Drive, DeMarco said.
The witness followed and directed an officer to the vehicle, whose driver, 25-year-old Hezekiah Williams of Moreno Valley, was arrested, the sergeant said.
Williams allegedly had a law enforcement badge and other, undisclosed police items inside his vehicle, which was “equipped with items similar to those installed in official police vehicles,” according to DeMarco.
Williams was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside, he said.