Police seeking possible victims of police impersonator in Las Vegas

A man was arrested as a police impersonator in Las Vegas.  Ryan Patrick Johns, 32 had his car impounded after an alert employee of the towing firm noticed items in the car that aroused suspicion.

The impounded vehicle was outfitted with red and blue flashing lights and a siren.  Also found was a handgun, handcuffs and a badge resembling a Metropolitan Police Offers badge.

Although anyone can be a targeted, it appears that these individuals mainly target females.  Women are urged to take safety precautions when being pulled over by a unmarked vehicle or even a marked vehicle to avoid becoming a victim of a police impersonator in Las Vegas.  Such steps can include:

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• Slowing your vehicle down, putting on your flashers and continuing to drive at a slow pace to a more populated location such as a busy well-lighted store parking lot or even a casino valet area.  Metro, in the past, has said they their officers understand these measures.
• Using your cell phone to contact someone you know and trust after you are stopped and before you open your window or door.  This step should be a given for a female traveling alone any time of day, especially if you do decide to stop after being pulled over in a remote location.  If you do not have a hands free/voice activated device, you run  the risk of getting a ticket however if explained to a judge, it would appear that the explanation provided would be reasonable.
• Call 311. This is the non emergency number. The operator can verify whether the person pulling you over is indeed an officer and send back-up as needed.  Also, this will provide a record of your call and might be a good step to at any time of day if you are pulled over while traveling alone.

Although Metro affirms that the vast majority of encounters will police will be safe ones, and that is is unlikely that you will the victim of a police impersonator in Las Vegas,  it is wise to take a few extra preparation steps.  Police Magazine, billed as The Law Enforcement Magazine, has a section devoted to police imposters so it is not as uncommon as one may think.

In May 2011, Wayne Robert Skeen also known as Adam Wayne Smith was arrested after he pulled up to real patrol officers and identified himself as an off duty Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) trooper.

June 2011 saw 4 arrests for men impersonating police.

20-year-old Fernando Gallardo  was arrested after approaching a woman on a bike and identified himself as a Metro gang unit officer. Police say they found radio scanners, handcuffs, along with a holster and a fake gun inside his car.

Douglas Irvin was arrested for impersonating a police detective and allegedly forcing a woman to have sex with him.

Bradley Wedge was arrested for allegedly conducting several vehicle stops.

Richard Larahn Henderson allegedly pulled over a driver in the area of Fremont St. and Las Vegas Blvd.  He allegedly identified himself as a police officer and showed the driver a badge and was promptly arrested.

If you do believe you have been the victim of a police impersonator in Las Vegas, you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.

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