Crime & Safety

SHERIFF'S WARNING: Be Aware Of Fake Cops

Neighbors are reporting incidents where fake police officers torment victims.

Riverside County sheriff's officials today cautioned Temecula residents to be alert to individuals posing as law enforcement officers who may try to exploit them.

According to the sheriff's department, deputies received at least two reports on Monday night of a pair of suspects accosting people parked in their cars and forcing them to lay on the ground, apparently for kicks.

The first encounter occurred around 6:45 p.m. near the intersection of Lakehouse Road and Harveston Drive, and the second happened two hours later in the 31000 block of Sonoma Lane, said sheriff's Sgt. Leonard Purvis.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"During each incident, unknown persons contacted the victims under cover of darkness by parking their vehicle behind the victims' vehicle and using a loudspeaker to order the victims out of their vehicle," Purvis said.

Purvis said the suspects shined bright flashlights into victims' eyes, preventing the targets' from seeing who it was confronting them. The suspects barked orders, telling the motorists to get out of their cars and lay on the ground, giving the impression they were being detained and searched, according to Purvis.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After gaining the victims' compliance, the miscreants jumped back into their car and fled, Purvis said.

Sheriff's officials recommended that residents keep the following in mind if they encounter a similar situation:

-- law enforcement officers wear uniforms and insignia that clearly identify who they are;

-- remain in your vehicle if a law enforcement officer approaches and wait to see who they are before responding to commands; and

-- if loitering in a vehicle for an extended period of time, do so in a well-lit area.

Suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the sheriff's Temecula Station at (951) 696-3000, or by calling 911. --City News Service


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.