MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police arrested a 67-year-old Montgomery Village man after discovering he was impersonating a police officer and driving a van outfitted to resemble a cruiser, authorities said.

Around 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 29, a 3rd District officer observed a Ford transit van near New Hampshire Avenue and East Shaw Avenue displaying red and blue rear-facing lights and markings including “Police” and “Policia” on its rear doors. The officer determined the vehicle did not belong to any local law enforcement agency and initiated a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as Alejandro Ceferino Zunca, initially claimed to be a current police officer but could not provide identification or documentation to support that claim. During the stop, police recovered a fictitious badge and a replica black pistol in a holster on his waistband, officials said.

A search of the van revealed additional items resembling police equipment, including a reflective ribbon, a shirt labeled “HAPCOA POLICE,” a taser, baton, handcuffs, a wallet containing a Baltimore City Police badge, a “Policia National” hat, an anti-ballistic vest, and yellow caution tape. The Ford was seized as part of the investigation.

Zunca was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer and cited for unlawful use of red and blue flashing lights. He was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and later released on a $2,000 unsecured personal bond.

Police urge anyone who may have encountered Zunca while he was posing as an officer to contact the department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit at 240-773-5958.

Source: Montgomery County Police Department