Man arrested for impersonating motorcycle officer in San Gabriel Valley

Authorities arrested a man who had been impersonating a motorcycle officer in the Valinda area. 

Though they did not release specifics of when the arrest took place, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies reported to the area near Nogales High School, where the man had allegedly been conducting unlawful traffic stops while posing as a police officer.

Neighbors in the area say the man has been pulling people over for more than a year now, at least dating back to last August. Many of them believed that he was a California Highway Patrol officer, due to the motorcycle he used. 

"His bike didn't look like a regular CHP, it looked more like if you were going to a funeral bike," said Valinda resident Tony Romero. "He mighta took one of those and then pretend to play cop."

Investigators say that the suspect was finally caught, ironically so, after he committed a good deed, running into the yard of a home that had caught fire. Once actual law enforcement showed up to the scene, he fled, which raised their suspicions. 

In images shared on social media, LASD shows the person who they arrested wearing an outfit and riding a motorcycle that both fit the common motorcycle officer. He even had similar equipment, including a body camera from the company that manufactures them for police.

As they investigate the incident, deputies are asking anyone who was stopped by the phony cop to contact them at (626) 934-3313.