Charlotte County deputies arrest man pretending to be police officer www.privateofficer.com
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. June 4 2012- Charlotte County deputies arrest a man accused of pretending to be a police officer.
Deputies say Matthew Scott Depedro, 38, was taken into custody at Holiday Mobile Home Park in Englewood. Residents called deputies to report suspicious activity involving an unmarked Crown Victoria in the park with its lights and siren on.
Deputies found Depedro in the car and asked for identification. He claimed to be an officer with Pennsylvania State Police. He provided a badge, weapons permit, and state driver’s license. But upon further investigation, deputies learned Depedro was never a Law Enforcement Officer in Pennsylvania.
Investigators say his vehicle was also fake. His black Crown Victoria had red and blue strobe lights a driver’s side spotlight and siren, like a real unmarked squad car.
Depedro was booked on charges of falsely impersonating an officer, unlawful use of a police badge or indicia of authority, and prohibited use of flashing or rotating blue lights.
Charlotte County deputies remind the public to be aware of law enforcement impersonators. If you feel you are being confronted or stopped by an impersonator, call 911 and request a marked uniformed officer immediately.
