Impersonating a Peace Officer 

March 12, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on February 22, 2026, at 10:48 a.m., deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to the area of Grand Avenue and Corydon Road, Lake Elsinore, regarding two individuals posing as peace officers. The victim stated a black Ford Police Interceptor drove behind her into a parking lot and activated the red/blue emergency lights and siren, effectively conducting a traffic stop. The driver and passenger of the police vehicle contacted the victim and requested her identification. The victim became suspicious during the interaction, and later reported it to law enforcement. The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station Special Enforcement Team assumed the investigation and ultimately identified the suspects as Juan Jimenez, a 53-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore, and Elias Roman, a 42-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore.

On March 5, 2026, deputies located the black Ford Police Interceptor, which was equipped with red and blue emergency lights and siren, and detained Jimenez without incident. During the course of the investigation, deputies served a search warrant at Jimenez' residence and collected evidence items including badges, multiple police patches, and other police uniform items. Jimenez was transported and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for impersonating a peace officer and false imprisonment.

Deputies continued their investigation, and on March 10, 2026, deputies located Roman in Lake Elsinore, and he was taken into custody without incident. Roman was transported and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for impersonating a peace officer and false imprisonment.

This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available at this time. The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station is asking anyone who believes they may have been contacted by these suspects, to please contact Deputy Olson at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245-3300.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Jarrod Meissen

File # F260550009

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office