The Philadelphia Police Department is on the prowl for two men and two women wanted for impersonating police officers.
ABC News reported that on April 8 two men were captured on video when they entered the Fresh Market in the city’s Juniata Park area. A security guard approached the men when he noticed they were moving quickly through the aisles in a frantic manner.
The men proceeded to allegedly tell the guard that they were police officers and threatened to arrest him. As the three argued, two females, who appeared to be with the men, joined the group. Afterwards the four, all described as Hispanics, left the store.
For some reason, the two men decided to return to the store a short while later. Again, they threatened the security guard. As one of them pulled his jacket back to take out handcuffs, the security guard insists he saw the handle of a handgun in the man’s pant waistband.
According to ABC News, a patron witnessed the incident and intervened. The men ran from the store and were last seen in a burgundy Dodge or Plymouth minivan.
Police are asking anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the two men and two women to contact them at 215-686-8477. All tips will remain confidential.
Per the Philadelphia PD release:
East Detective Division is looking to identify and located the suspect wanted for impersonating a police officer in Juniata Park.
On April 8, 2015, at 12:00 pm, the complainant, a 27 year-old male, was working as a security guard at the Fresh Market located at 1240 East Erie Avenue when he observed two Hispanic males enter the store walking quickly through the aisles. When the security guard seen the suspects appeared to be agitated, he approached them asking if he could be of assistance to them, both males then identified themselves as police threatening to arrest him. During the argument two unknown females who appeared to be shopping approached the males and continued arguing. After the argument both suspects exited the store only to return a short time later. Suspect #1 who was wearing what appeared to be a black ballistic vest approached the complainant threatening arrest him. When suspect #2 pulled his jacket away to take out handcuffs the complainant observed the handle of a handgun in the rear of his waistband of his pants. Once a witness intervened, both suspect fled the store and were last seen in a burgundy Dodge or Plymouth minivan.
Suspect Description:
Suspect #1: Hispanic male, 20 years-of-age, 5’8”-5’10”, medium build, wearing a black hat, black jacket, black pants, and possibly a black ballistic vest with yellow writing on the back.
Suspect #2: Hispanic male, 20 years-of-age, 5’6”-5’9”, medium build, wearing sunglasses, gray sweatshirt, and dark colored pants.
Suspect #3: Hispanic female, blonde hair, heavy build, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.
Suspect #4: Hispanic female, medium build, dark hair, wearing a dark colored jacket, and dark pants.
If you see these suspects do not approach them, contact 911 immediately.
To submit a tip via telephone, dial 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.
All tips will be confidential.
If you have any information about this crime or these suspects, please contact:
East Detective Division
215-686-3243/3244
Det. Miles #627
DC# 15-24-029746
