SALINAS: Suspect pretends to be cop, threatens to shoot driver

A San Jose man was arrested after pretending to be a police officer in Salinas and threatened to shoot a driver.

According to Salinas Police, on November 2, a victim’s vehicle rolled into 22-year-old suspect Fernando Campos’s car at an intersection in North Salinas. Campos got out of his car and became violent with the driver, causing the driver to get back in their car and leave.

Using red and blue flashing lights, Campos followed the victim and ordered the driver to pull over. Police said as Campos approached the car he pointed a handgun at the victim and threatened to shoot.

The victim sped away and called police.

During a photo line up Campos was identified as the suspect. During a search warrant of his San Jose house, investigators saw Campos drive away in the same car used the night of the incident.

Police followed Campos and were able to take him into custody.

“Campos had a loaded 40mm XD handgun in his waistband and a search of his vehicle found a short barrel AR-15, Colt 1911A1 handgun, a 22 caliber Beretta handgun, two lower AR-15 receivers, six XD high capacity magazines, two law enforcement badges, a TASER, one “steel plate” tactical vest, police vehicle emergency lighting equipment, three 30 round AR-15 Magazines, three 10 round AR-15 magazines, a 100 round AR-15 magazine and 1700 rounds of ammunition,” said Sgt. George Lauricella.

Inside Campos home, officers found an additional police badge and shotgun. A woman inside the home was in possession of a loaded 38-caliber handgun.

Campos refused to talk to police about the case or the items found during the search warrant. Campos was arrested and taken to Monterey County Jail.