Costa Mesa : Man Plays Cop, Robber; Ends Up In Custody
An unidentified man who played the dual role of cop and robber Wednesday got arrested for his performance--which included a high-speed chase right past the Police Department on Fair Drive.
Police said the incident began when the man, outfitted with a toy gun and a toy badge, identified himself to Charles Lloyd Garrison of Costa Mesa as an undercover narcotics officer and said he needed Garrison to withdraw a large sum of money from his bank account.
Tipped by bank officials, police arriving at the Security Pacific Bank at Harbor Boulevard and Wilson Street about 3 p.m. saw the man waiting in Garrison’s car while Garrison was still inside the bank.
A 10-minute chase ensued, with speeds up to 70 m.p.h., during which the man threw shredded papers, his toy gun and his badge from the car, police said. They said the chase ended because of a traffic snarl at Irvine Avenue and 22nd Street.
Police said they have been unable to identify the man, who was booked into City Jail. He was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer, grand theft, grand theft auto, reckless driving and attempting to evade capture.
Police said the man is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
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