He had a badge, his car had emergency lights, he pulled people over — but he wasn’t a cop, authorities say

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Riverside County sheriff's deputies recovered this pretend badge from a person they allege was impersonating a regulation enforcement officer in Canyon Lake, close to Lake Elsinore. (Riverside County Sheriff's Division)A 70-year-old man sporting a pretend badge and driving a white sedan geared up with emergency lights was arrested Thursday after he allegedly pulled over unsuspecting …

On Thursday, March 7, 2024, deputies assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station Special Enforcement Team assumed an investigation regarding a subject impersonating a peace officer. It was reported the subject was conducting traffic stops within the Canyon Lake community while driving a vehicle similar to a police sedan. Video surveillance captured the suspect conducting a traffic stop using a white Crown Victoria sedan with emergency lights affixed to the car. During the traffic stop, the suspect showed the victim a badge in which the victim recognized the words "Agent" and "California." Deputies located the vehicle, and the driver was identified as Steven Sawhill, a 70-year-old resident of Canyon Lake. Deputies located a badge and other identification cards that were determined to be fraudulent in Sawhill's possession. Sawhill was arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer, false imprisonment, and vehicle code violations related to possession of emergency lights. — Riverside County sheriff’s deputies recovered this pretend badge from a person they allege was impersonating a regulation enforcement officer in Canyon Lake, close to Lake Elsinore. (Riverside County Sheriff’s Division)

A 70-year-old man sporting a pretend badge and driving a white sedan geared up with emergency lights was arrested Thursday after he allegedly pulled over unsuspecting drivers in Riverside County, officers mentioned.

Witnesses reported {that a} man driving a white Ford Crown Victoria was conducting site visitors stops Thursday in Canyon Lake, close to Lake Elsinore, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Division mentioned in a press release.

The person reportedly flashed a badge with the phrases “agent” and “California,” officers added. Authorities didn’t say why the person was pulling individuals over.

Deputies situated the Crown Victoria in query Thursday and arrested Steven Sawhill, 70, of Canyon Lake, on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer, false imprisonment and automobile code violations relating to the emergency lights on the automobile.

Sawhill was additionally allegedly in possession of different fraudulent identification playing cards, authorities mentioned.

Anybody with further data, or who had an analogous expertise, is requested to contact the Riverside sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Station at (951) 245-3300.

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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Occasions.

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