ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man is accused of pretending to be an Orange County deputy and investigators said they want to know if anyone has had a run-in with the suspect.
According to authorities, Jose Ortiz told several people at the Lakeview Inn and Suites on S. Orange Blossom Trail that he was a deputy.
"This person is decked out like a police officer, wearing battle fatigues, Taser, handcuffs," said Jane Watrel, with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Witnesses told investigators Ortiz walked into the motel and asked for two parking passes and said he was investigating corrupt deputies and security officers at the night club next door.
Authorities said Ortiz also identified himself as a deputy and flashed a security badge when a man tried to tow his car
Ortiz's wife denied the allegations when Eyewitness News went to his Orange County home.
"No, he didn't say he was a deputy, no," Anna Ortiz said.
The suspect called Channel 9 and said he is a security guard and was looking for a side job at the night club. He claims to have told motel employees that there was an investigation underway, not that he was a deputy himself. Additionally, Ortiz said the tow truck driver lied.
"Anyone who saw this person and had an encounter with him we want to hear about it," said Watrel.
The 49-year-old has been charged with impersonating a police officer.
WFTV
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