(October 25, 2002) -- LBPD is seeking additional victims who may have encountered a man -- now in police custody -- who police allege posed as an LBPD police officer and threatened Belmont Shore couples with "arrest" unless they submitted to sex acts or handed over money.

Police say the man, identifying himself as an LBPD officer, and equipped with a badge, handcuffs and a pellet gun, approached two couples in the Belmont Shore beach area in two separate incidents.

In the first incident, he allegedly threatened a couple with "arrest" if they didn't submit to sexual acts; in the second incident, he threatened another couple with "arrest" if they didn't hand over money.

On October 24 at roughly 1:15 a.m., LBPD took the alleged bogus "cop" into custody after real patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle for a traffic violation. In a written release, LBPD says one of the patrol officers observed what appeared to be a handgun protruding from a backpack on the floor; officers then discovered the badge and handcuffs in the vehicle.

Being aware of the previous incidents that had occurred, and noticing that the driver matched the suspect's description, LBPD officers placed him under arrest.

LBPD says its detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not reported an incident...and they are asking any such victims to come forward.

Police are not identifying the suspect at present due to the ongoing investigation, but they describe him as a male Hispanic, 47 years of age, black hair, 5'8", heavy set, and wearing all black clothing during the crimes.

LBPD is asking anyone with an incident to report, or information about these crimes, to contact LBPD Sex Crimes Detective Craig Newland at (562) 570-5513.