PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police are searching for more possible victims after arresting a man who allegedly tried to pull someone over while impersonating a police officer.
Police said officers were working on a street racing mission on Saturday, May 7 when an officer spotted a vehicle with red and blue flashing lights following another car on North Marine Drive near Kelly Point Park. After confirming no officers were involved, police stopped the driver in the car with flashing lights.
Police arrested the driver, 20-year-old Jonathan Bautista-Limon, and cited him for criminal impersonation of a public servant.
According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), Bautista-Limon was driving a black 2019 Dodge Charger with a police-style push bumper, flashing lights, interior windshield lights and lights in the rear window. Police said he also had a realistic looking airsoft gun and a fake security badge.
PPB said Bautista-Limon had previously attempted to stop another driver. The driver was suspicious that the car was not a legitimate police vehicle so they contacted police and did not pull over, police said.
For months, community members have been calling on police to do more to combat street racing. Investigators don't think Bautista-Limon was among them.
“We have no indication that this person was trying to be a vigilante or stop cars because he was frustrated,” said Portland police Sgt. Kevin Allen. “The suggestion I'm getting is that it was really more of an opportunity for him to try to participate in these [street racing] events without being caught.”
During the street racing mission, police also stopped another vehicle, a white 2014 Chevrolet Caprice with a police-style spotlight and detachable white flashing lights. Both vehicles were towed, but the driver in the second vehicle was not charged with a crime.
If you believe you were a victim of this police impersonator and have any information about this case, the two vehicles involved or the suspects, you are asked to email crimetips@portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 22-121134.
