Full Notification

This past weekend, San Leandro Police arrested an Oakland man for impersonating a police officer at the City’s annual Cherry Festival, after police saw him dressed in a police-style uniform, armed with a replica handgun and live ammunition.

On Saturday morning at 10:00AM, officers assigned to patrol the City’s annual festival held in San Leandro’s downtown district, which draws a crowd of nearly 20,000, spotted a man dressed in a “K9 Unit” police-style uniform, appearing as a law enforcement officer with a ballistic vest, duty belt, firearm, ammunition, Taser and German Shephard.  

Officers recognized 20 year-old Oakland resident, Sergio Taylor from a recent “wanted” flyer sent by the Berkeley Police Department to Bay Area law enforcement agencies.  The flyer had photos of Taylor and listed that he was wanted for an outstanding arrest warrant, charging firearm-related offenses and a violation of his probation, which stemmed from a May 12th incident at Kip’s Bar located in the 2400 block of Durant Ave. in Berkeley.
 
Before officers were able to safely stop and detain Taylor for his outstanding arrest warrant, he got into a 2013, black, Ford Taurus with security markings on it that resembled a police car, and drove away with 39 year-old John Payne of Oakland.  Police also saw a German Shephard in the backseat, that looked like a police dog.  

Police stopped the vehicle and took Taylor into custody without incident.  He was wearing the black, police-style uniform, bearing police-style patches, insignias, badge and a “K9 Unit” patch on the back, with his name embroidered on the shirt, identifying him as an employee of the Oakland-based company, All About Private Security.  The uniform shirt, made by a major police uniform manufacturer, appeared identical to that of a sworn, uniformed law enforcement officer seen patrolling many communities throughout California.

“This was a dangerous situation, as Taylor looked like a police officer, yet he is not, and he was carrying a Taser, replica firearm and live ammunition, which he is prohibited from possessing.  Unfortunately, most people would not be able to tell the difference between this impersonator and a real police officer,” stated Lt. Robert McManus. 

Officers searched the Ford Taurus and found a replica firearm concealed under the front seat of the vehicle.  The pistol resembled a Glock semi-automatic pistol, nearly identical to Department-issued pistols commonly used by today's law enforcement officers.  Although the pistol was a replica firearm and was not capable of firing ammunition, it had a Glock magazine with 10 rounds of live 9mm ammunition inside of it.  Police also discovered additional Glock pistol magazines with live ammunition stowed in pouches on Taylor’s person – magazines made for a law enforcement officer’s issued Glock pistol that also fit the replica that he carried in his tactical holster.  

While searching the Taurus and continuing their investigation, police arrested Payne on suspicion of delaying their investigation, after they discovered Taylor’s replica Glock pistol hidden inside of the car.  

Taylor’s German Shephard was held by police and cared for, until it was released to one of Taylor’s family members sometime this past weekend.  

Taylor and Payne were subsequently transported to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.  Taylor has been criminally charged by the Alameda County District Attorney for impersonating a police officer, firearms violations, and violating the terms and conditions of his probation.  He is set to appear in court on June 5th.  

Police are continuing their investigation involving Payne and will meet with the District Attorney on Wednesday, who will decide whether or not to file charges against him.    

During their investigation, police learned that Taylor had been convicted and granted probation in Alameda County following a December 2017 arrest in San Leandro. 

In the 2017 case, Taylor allegedly impersonated a uniformed, Federal law enforcement officer, while buying a used motorcycle from a man, paying with a fraudulent $10,000 check.  Taylor reportedly wore a similar police-style uniform, and activated emergency lights and a siren in his unmarked vehicle as he left the parking lot.  Detectives later executed a search warrant at Taylor’s Oakland home, recovering the stolen motorcycle, police equipment and other evidence, substantiating Taylor's criminal activity.       

Law enforcement agencies throughout the Bay Area are working together to determine if Taylor or Payne are responsible for any other crimes, especially those involving the impersonation of a police officer.  Police ask anyone with information to please contact them at (510) 577-2740.

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*For reference, the photos included with this press release depict the following:

1.  Uniform shirt worn by Taylor at time of arrest
2. Replica Glock pistol and magazine (top) compared to SLPD-issued       Glock (bottom)
3.  Photo of Taylor, following Saturday’s arrest

MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Please contact the San Leandro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division with any information regarding this case or any other case at (510) 577-3230. 

Information may also be submitted anonymously by:

• Phone: Anonymous Crime Tips at (510) 577-3278
• Text Message:  Text “TipSLPolice” to 888777

For crime prevention tips, please visit the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 510-577-3228.

Citizens play a critical role in creating a safe environment by observing and reporting any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.  The San Leandro Police Department recommends that citizens do not participate in any direct verbal or physical involvement with suspicious persons or those engaged in the commission of crimes. Personal safety of our community is paramount.  We encourage the San Leandro community to record the details of what they observe and to report those details to the police.  This type of community involvement and partnership has proven to be a very effective crime prevention tool.  Citizens act as the eyes and ears of the community first, and the extended eyes and ears of the San Leandro Police Department.  Thank you for being a force-multiplier in our efforts to provide professional police services and safety to the community.

PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION:

DATE / TIME OF RELEASE:  06/04/19 – 7:25PM

INCIDENTS:  Man Arrested for Impersonating Police Officer
 
PRESS RELEASE OFFICER:  Lt. Robert McManus

TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3232

EMAIL: [email protected]

DATE / TIME OF INCIDENT: 06/01/19 – 10:00AM

ARREST LOCATION(S): Davis St. at Clarke St. -  San Leandro

INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S): SLPD and Berkeley Police Department

SUSPECT(S):  Sergio Taylor, 20 year old Oakland resident