Police Impersonator Stopped, Frisked Woman Pushing A Stroller

EL SEGUNDO (CBSLA.com) — Police want the public to be wary of a man pretending to be an officer in the city of El Segundo.

Detectives say a woman was pushing her infant in a stroller on Sept. 20 in the 1500 block of East Mariposa Avenue when she was stopped by a man who appeared to be an on-duty police officer.

The man wore a uniform and badge similar to that of a sworn officer; however he was not wearing a duty belt, holster or firearm.

During the stop, the woman says she was questioned about whether her 1-year-old was actually her baby. When she told the suspect the child was, in fact, her baby, he searched her -- putting her hands in her front sweatshirt pocket and patted down the front and rear pockets of the shorts she was wearing.

"She consented to the search because she thought he was a police officer," El Segundo police Detective Eric Atkinson said.

El Segundo police say there are no records of an officer being dispatched to the area.

"As far as a pat down on a female, we usually have a female officer come out and do that. Or at least have one officer present while doing that," Atkinson said.

The suspect was described as a white man in his 20s, about 6 feet tall with a thin build and clean shaven with a buzz haircut.

Anyone with information about this incident or similar crimes can call Detective Eric Atkinson at (310) 524-2216.