Man arrested for allegedly impersonating police officer in Santa Clara County

CUPERTINO, Calif. - A traffic stop led to the arrest of a man accused of impersonating a police officer, Santa Clara County sheriff’s investigators said on Sunday.

The driver was pulled over near South De Anza Boulevard and Rodrigues Avenue in Cupertino, after a sheriff’s deputy in West Valley Patrol Division noticed an SUV with an expired registration. The vehicle also was equipped with siren lights, according to sheriff's officials. 

"The suspect took it upon himself to get his own vehicle outfitted with the lights," investigators said in a Facebook post. 

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Once the deputy approached the driver, he was found to be wearing a security uniform marked with the word "police" on it. The 30-year-old man was also wearing a "duty belt," a bullet-proof vest, as well as a hat with "Officer Garcia" printed on it, according to investigators.

"The driver claimed he worked as a security guard but did not have a guard card," an official with the sheriff's department told KTVU. 

A search of the suspect vehicle resulted in the discovery of weapons and drugs, investigators said.

"After a consent to search the vehicle was given, two firearms, two batons, pepper spray, and methamphetamine were allegedly located inside of the vehicle," they said. 

The suspect was arrested on charges including impersonating a peace officer, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of methamphetamine.