Transient Suspected Of Impersonating Police Officer May Have More Victims
ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — A man has been arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and pulling over motorists, and investigators believe he may have more victims.
Gabriel Magna Lopez, 42, a transient, was arrested Dec. 4 and booked on suspicion of felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor impersonating a police officer.
Police say two women were pulled over near the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Anaheim Boulevard by a man who claimed to be a police officer about 10 a.m. Oct. 26. The women told police they were driving south on Anaheim Boulevard from Palma Avenue when they were passed by a dark-colored Cadillac, which then slowed down and appeared to deliberately move to block their path.
When the Cadillac stopped, Lopez got out and approached the women and told him he was a police officer and intended to arrest them, police said. When the women told the man they were going to call the police to verify his status, he ran back to his car and fled at a high rate of speed.
The women were able to read the license plate of the man's car and reported it to police.
With help from the victims, police identified the man as Lopez, officials said.
Investigators believe Lopez may have impersonated a police officer with other victims. Anyone with information about this crime and others involving Lopez can contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS (847-6887).
