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Brentwood, NY (77WABC)-Suffolk County Police say they want to hear from potential victims of a 55-year-old Queens man who is under arrest for allegedly impersonating a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Agent.
Police say 55-year-old Fernando Garnecho of 79-74 Calamus Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens was held overnight at the Third Precinct after being charged with Criminal Impersonation in the 1st Degree. He is scheduled for arraignment today at First District Court in Central Islip.
A Canine Section officer was driving a marked police vehicle eastbound on the Long Island Expressway, near Exit 53 in Brentwood, when he observed a 2019 Audi A8, with emergency blue and red lights activated in the windshield. The Audi was traveling eastbound on the shoulder of the HOV lane at approximately 12:30 p.m. The officer initiated a traffic stop.
Police say Garnecho portrayed himself to the officer as an on-duty United States Department of Homeland Security agent. He was wearing a black Homeland Security jacket with law enforcement insignia patches and the letters ICE on front and back and had a black replica handgun in a leather holster on the passenger seat. He also possessed a placard, and other law enforcement identifiers, which appeared to be fabricated. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Garnecho is not employed by the United States Department of Homeland Security and he was placed under arrest.
Detectives are asking anyone with information, or who believes they may have been victimized by Garnecho, to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8443.
Police say a criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
