| May 9, 2006 The following press release is reproduced on this website by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in cooperation with the Cotati Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
Press Release
CIRCUMSTANCES On May 1st 2006, at 10:47 P.M., Cotati Police Officers contacted a suspicious subject that parked his vehicle in a dark area of the Cotati Park and Ride and walked over to the 76 Gas Station located at 8510 Gravenstein Highway. A DMV records check on the registered owner of the vehicle (Gold Honda) revealed that the R.O. hand an outstanding arrest warrant out of Sonoma County. The subject was identified as Dennis Lopez (48) a Santa Rosa resident, who was in fact the registered owner of the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. A search of suspect Lopez’s gold Honda resulted in locating a controlled substance along with a handgun. An attaché case was also located which contained items that implicated suspect Lopez as impersonating a Federal Agent (Diplomatic Security Service). There was a clipboard that had a number of blank letterhead pages of the Department of Homeland Security with "Special Agent Lopez" listed on it. A wallet was also seized that contained a replica of the U.S. Department of State Security Service badge. Pages of local Law Enforcement radio frequencies (CHP and Sonoma County) were seized along with a hand held radio scanner. Several pages of counter surveillance and debugging equipment information was also located. Along with these items was a printout of the Homeland Security web page with a description of the protection service for dignitaries. A printout with several pictures of a vehicle ambush and a picture of a U.S. appointed official and their protection unit was amongst the recovered documents. Tactical apparel was located and seized as well. We are requesting that any member of the public that may have been a victim of fraud in which Dennis Lopez may have fraudulently identified himself as a Federal Agent to contact the Cotati Police Department. The Cotati Police Department, I.C.E. Homeland Security Unit T. Isenhart, and D.S.S. (U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service) Special Agent M. Suau are working together to identify any potential victims and security issues. Dennis Lopez was booked into the Sonoma County Jail for a weapons violation, arrest warrant, and possessing a controlled substance. Officer Nick LaBonte is investigating the incident. SUSPECT: Dennis Lopez
|
 | |||
|
COTATI POLICE DEPARTMENT ROBERT STEWART, CHIEF OF POLICE 