Two Lake Elsinore residents were arrested on suspicion of impersonating peace officers and false imprisonment following an incident reported on February 22.
At approximately 10:48 a.m., deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to the area of Grand Avenue and Corydon Road regarding a report of two individuals posing as peace officers. According to the victim, a black Ford Police Interceptor pulled into the parking lot behind her and activated the red/blue emergency lights and siren, effectively conducting what appeared to be a traffic stop.
The driver and passenger of the police vehicle contacted the victim and requested her identification. The victim became suspicious during the interaction and later reported it to law enforcement.
The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station Special Enforcement Team assumed the investigation and ultimately identified the suspects as Juan Jimenez, a 53-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore, and Elias Roman, a 42-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore.
On March 5, deputies located the black Ford Police Interceptor equipped with red and blue emergency lights and a siren. Jimenez was detained without incident. A search warrant was served at his Lake Elsinore residence, where evidence was collected, including badges, multiple police patches, and other police uniform items. Jimenez was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer and false imprisonment.
March 10, deputies located Roman in Lake Elsinore. He was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer and false imprisonment.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone who believes they may have been contacted by these suspects is asked to contact Deputy Olson at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245–3300.
