San Rafael police arrested a Richmond man for allegedly impersonating a California Freeway Patrol officer whereas driving round in a automobile he had embellished with CHP decals.
The ruse nearly labored when the automobile was noticed by San Rafael cops, who observed the car Wednesday about 10:40 a.m. within the space of Bellam Boulevard and Interstate 580 in San Rafael.
It gave the impression to be an older mannequin CHP Chevrolet Camaro police automobile, utilized by the company practically a decade in the past.
“At first, the officer thought it was an actual CHP car and waved toward the driver. While waving, they noticed the driver was not wearing a uniform and did not appear to be a CHP officer,” San Rafael police mentioned.
The officers had been suspicious and made a U-turn to take a look at the automobile. The decals regarded official however the automobile didn’t have correct license plates and wasn’t registered with the state legislation enforcement company.
A closeup of the Chevrolet Camaro confiscated by San Rafael police on Wednesday. The motive force advised officers it was a present automobile present, however they decided it had just lately been faraway from an impound yard for expired registration and that the CHP logos had been pretend. (San Rafael Police Division by way of Bay Metropolis Information)
The officers pulled the automobile over, and through an investigation the motive force admitted placing the decals on the automobile and “acknowledged that the public would believe it was a police car.” He advised them the car was for a automobile present, however the officers decided it had just lately been faraway from an impound yard for expired registration.
Matthew Bennett Connolly, 25, was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer whereas driving in a car modified to resemble a police automobile and booked into the Marin County Jail. The car was impounded.
The CHP was contacted and suggested of the incident, and San Rafael police are investigating whether or not there have been current experiences of the suspect or car being concerned in false impersonation instances.
Anybody with details about the case is requested to name San Rafael Police at (415) 485-3000. Ideas will also be made on-line.
