Huntington Park, Ca. (KTLA) — A Los Angeles man is suspected of possibly impersonating a federal agent. On Thursday, police in nearby Huntington Park arrested 24-year-old Fernando Diaz, saying he had a loaded firearm, law enforcement-style documents and other police paraphernalia.
Diaz was arrested that night after officers say they responded to a vehicle parked illegally in a handicap spot along an area street.
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Police initially believed the gray Dodge Durango could be an unmarked law enforcement vehicle due to visible red and blue LED lights, police-style radios and a firearm magazine inside the car. But dispatchers soon confirmed the SUV was registered to a private citizen in Los Angeles, not a law enforcement agency.
As officers prepared to impound the vehicle, a man approached and identified himself as the owner, asking to retrieve items that he claimed belonged to a friend. Officers questioned him about the law enforcement-style equipment inside. He reportedly told police he previously worked as a security guard and claimed to have been employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but was unable to produce valid credentials.
Further investigation revealed Diaz had an outstanding warrant for driving under the influence and a prior arrest related to human smuggling. Officers arrested him on the scene. During a search of the vehicle, police say they recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic firearm, two holsters, extra ammunition, three cellphones, multiple copies of passports not registered under his name, and documents bearing the letterhead of Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection. Officers also say they found a sheet of federal radio codes and other materials they say may indicate criminal intent…