Fake Police Officer Arrested

Officers from the National Police have arrested a man who had spent several years posing as Local Police officer in Oviedo, even wearing the official uniform in the city centre, and appearing at homes and identifying himself as an officer.

The detainee took advantage of his fictitious police role to gain the trust of his victims and obtain information about them, in addition to getting the keys to their homes and private premises, which he then stole from with impunity and without leaving any trace.

He became difficult to trace as he was using a false name, as well as the clearly false identity, allowing him to go almost completely unnoticed.

After an arduous police investigation, it was determined that behind the supposed police officer persona was a known criminal who worked the city, taking advantage of his tall height and complexion to pose as a policeman.

With his arrest, numerous criminal acts have been clarified by the investigators.

The modus operandi of the man was to act as an agent of authority to make others believe that he was a Local Police officer of Oviedo, using all kinds of convincing explanations, corroborated by the possession of the uniform, pistol and handcuffs, amongst other effects.

Once confidence was achieved, he used skill to remove keys to access their homes when they were empty, even establishing surveillance on them.

The detainee, 31 years old, has a long criminal record. During the search of his vehicle, all kinds of police equipment was recovered, including an official Local Police uniform, radio equipment, a simulated pistol, handcuffs and documentation. He also had a blue flashing light to simulate that his private vehicle was a camouflaged police car. In addition, many of the keys and access controls to the places subject to the thefts were located.

After the arrest, a search was made at his home, where more items of the Local Police of Oviedo appeared.

The detainee has been admitted to prison and the investigation remains open.