(WWJ) A Waterford Township man is in trouble with the law after it's alleged he posed as a police officer.
Charles Molina, 22, was arrested after the was spotted by off-duty Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, stopped along Highland Road in Waterford.
The deputy reported he saw a black Dodge Charger with flashing red and blue lights come up from the center turn lane and pass stopped traffic. Molina got out, and stopped to talk to the driver of a disabled vehicle pulled over on the side of the road.
The deputy noticed that the Charger, which had Ohio registration plates, was equipped with what appeared to be a radar unit, camera and bars on the back windows, the sheriff's office said.
Suspecting something was off, the deputy stopped, approached Molina, and identified himself as an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy.
When the deputy asked Molina who he worked for, Molina initially did not respond, but later said he was a bounty hunter, the deputy reported.
The Sheriff’s Office 416 Traffic Enforcement Unit arrived on scene, along with Waterford police, and an investigation began.
A search of the Charge revealed an unloaded shotgun and unloaded pellet gun in the trunk along with body armor, portable radios, and a gun belt which contained a Taser, handcuffs, and an asp, which is a telescoping baton.
Sheriff's officials say a loaded 9 mm pistol was found between the front seat and the center console with a round in the chamber. Molina also had a bail bondsman badge clipped to his waist.
Molina told investigators he works for a bail bond company out of Royal Oak, but didn't have documentation to confirm that. He was able to show proof of a valid Concealed Pistol License (CPL) in the state of Michigan.
As for the Charger, he claimed he just bought it in Ohio and had not yet transferred the car into his name.
Further investigation revealed there had been numerous calls about a vehicle similar to this on other days in the area, but the vehicle had not been located. According to the sheriff's office, there is information he has driven with the lights and sirens activated in other areas.
Molina was arraigned in 51st District Court Friday on a charge of Use/Possession of Flashing Lights, which is a 90-day misdemeanor. Bond was set at $500, and a hearing in the case was scheduled for Aug. 20
Meanwhile, the investigation into Molina's actions is ongoing.
The sheriff’s office is asking for help in identifying anyone who may have had an encounter with Molina in recent months. If you have been pulled over by this suspect or have information about his alleged actions posing as law enforcement you are asked to call Sgt. Richard Hubble at 888-TURN-1-IN.