Man Purporting to be Police Officer Pulls Over and Robs Driver in Lakewood; Arrest Made

lpd vehicle tlsA man purporting to be a police officer pulled over a driver in Lakewood and robbed him, police say.

On October 5th a 42 year old Lakewood man walked into police headquarters to report that he was robbed a few hours earlier by a man purporting to be a law enforcement officer.

The victim told Officer Matthew Rivera, that while driving east on Cross Street the suspect pulled along side of him and ordered him to pull off to the side of the road.

After coming to a stop, the suspect, wearing dark clothing and a baseball style hat marked “POLICE” across the front, approached the victim and asked for his drivers license and to exit the vehicle.

He was then told to place his hands on his vehicle so the suspect could check his pockets. After taking approximately $670 from the victim, the suspect told him that he was returning to his car to write him a ticket.

Instead, the suspect made a U-Turn and fled the area west on Cross Street.

Officer Chase Messer, who is currently assigned to the Detective Bureau, recalled a similar incident that occurred at 194 New Hampshire Avenue in Lakewood on June 27th and an additional one in Brick, NJ back on July 14, 2015.

According to Officer Messer, Brick PD investigated a very similar incident in which 40 yr old Michael Vence of Brick was charged and arrested.

Further investigation, revealed that Vence was responsible for both the June 27th and October 5th Robberies in Lakewood as well.

As a result, Michael Vence, with the assistance of officers from the Lakewood Police Department Street Crimes Unit and Brick Police, located Vence as he was driving a 2013 gray Hyundai in the Wendy’s parking lot on Rt. 70 near Cedarbridge Avenue.

At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in the possession of two bundles of heroin, associated paraphernalia and evidence pertaining to the crime of impersonating a law enforcement officer.

As a result, Michael Vence was charged with two counts of Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer, two counts of Theft, Possession of CDS and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Bail was set at $30,000and he was later transported to Ocean County Jail.

[TLS]

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5 COMMENTS

  1. Good Police work on this, I hope they lock Mr Vence up for awhile. Just a note of caution, if you’re not sure it is a police officer stopping you, such as he’s not driving a Police Car, he’s not in uniform, etc. don’t stop. Call 911 and proceed slowly towards the nearest Police Station.

  2. My 17 yr old daughter knows that if anyone in an unmarked vehicle tries to pull her over she’s to drive to a well lit parking area, remain in her car and call 911 and tell them what is happening. I bought her a vehicle that is also equipped with a “Panic Button” that when activated automatically dials 911 & furnishes her location via GPS.

    You have to be pretty naive to fall for the cap with the word “POLICE” on it.

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