A man in Moorpark was discovered to be impersonating police by driving a vehicle with an operational siren. He was also found to be under the influence and in possession of drugs.
On March 2, 2021, at around 12:27PM, a citizen called Ventura County Sheriff’s Office dispatch and reported a man sounding a siren in her direction while she was walking through the parking lot of the Mission Bell Plaza, located in the 400 block of Los Angeles Avenue, in Moorpark. The man was driving a black, 2009 Land Rover Range Rover and was utilizing his vehicle’s siren to slow vehicular travel.
Deputies made contact with the man, who was identified as 53-year-old Robert Cassano, a resident of Chatsworth, California. Cassano’s driver side door was open and deputies noticed a siren device attached to the vehicle’s dashboard. Cassano displayed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
A DUI investigation revealed Cassano was driving under the combined influence of a controlled substance and marijuana. Following Cassano’s arrest, he was found to be in possession of a flat badge on a lanyard. The badge resembled a badge of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). A search of Cassano’s vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia commonly used to smoke controlled substances, a large tote containing over two pounds of marijuana, a pair of handcuffs, a handcuff case, a security badge, a radio microphone, and an electronic device resembling a handheld radio.
Cassano was arrested for California Penal Code 538d(a)-Impersonate An Officer, California Vehicle Code 23152(f)-Driving Under The Influence of Any Drug, California Health and Safety Code 11364(a)-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, California Health and Safety Code 11357(b)-Possession of Marijuana 28.5 Grams or Less, California Health and Safety Code 11359(b)(2)-Possession of Marijuana For Sale (Prop 64), California Health and Safety Code 11360(a)-Sale or Transportation of Marijuana, and California Health and Safety Code 11359(c)-Possession of Marijuana For Sales With Specified Priors.
Cassano was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he is currently being held in lieu of a $200,000.00 bail.
Anyone who has encountered Cassano impersonating a police officer is encouraged to contact the Moorpark Police Department at (805) 532-2700.
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