Nov 7, 2009 9:37 am US/Pacific
Man Poses As Police Officer To Commit Robberies
LOS ANGELES (CBS)

The suspect wore a badge clipped to a gun belt when he identified himself as a police officer and searched the victims, removing loose cash and wallets, Richard French of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Police are looking for a robbery suspect who's been posing as a police officer so he can frisk and rob people walking near the Rampart police station.

The man allegedly approached at least four people over the past two months in the late morning and early afternoon hours claiming to be a plain-clothed officer, Richard French of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The suspect wore a badge clipped to a gun belt when he identified himself as a police officer and searched the victims, removing loose cash and wallets, French said.


The man was described as Hispanic, 35 to 45 years old, about 6 feet tall 230 pounds. He has been seen wearing a dark polo-style shirt and jeans, and driving a gray 2005 Pontiac Grand AM GT, a gold or tan 1998 Mercury and a gray 2007 Buick.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous, and detectives urge anyone with information about the robberies or who may have been a victim to contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division at (213) 485-2511 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

http://cbs2.com/local/fake.cop.robbery.2.1297529.html