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Police: Big Bear Man Posed As Cop To Rape At Least 3 Women

BIG BEAR (CBSLA.com) — A man accused of impersonating a police officer in order to rape at least three women has been arrested, and police believe he may have more victims.

William Hernandez, 51, of Big Bear, was arrested Monday during a traffic stop and his home was searched by detectives, who found evidence linking him to sexual assaults in Rancho Cucamonga and Victorville, police officials said.

The first sexual assault was reported on Feb. 18 at the New Kansan Motel, where Hernandez allegedly identified himself as a police officer and threatened a woman with a handgun before raping her for several hours, according to Rancho Cucamonga police.

During the Rancho Cucamonga investigation, Victorville police received a similar report of sexual assault in which the suspect was identified as William Hernandez. As in the Rancho Cucamonga crime, Hernandez allegedly identified himself as a police officer and threatened a woman with a handgun before raping her, Victorville police officials said.

But in a departure from the Rancho Cucamonga crime, Hernandez allegedly ordered the woman to call a third woman to come to their location. When she arrived, Hernandez threatened and raped her as well, authorities said.

According to Rancho Cucamonga police, Hernandez threatened to arrest the second and third victims if they did not stay in contact with him.

Hernandez is being held on $1 million bail on and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday.

Anyone with information about these crimes or who have had similar contact with Hernandez can call the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department at (909) 477-2800 or the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2275.

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