WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested a man accused of posing as a police officer in Southwest Miami-Dade.
7News cameras captured Jesus Montesino as he walked out of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade, Wednesday night.
When asked to comment on the accusations against him, he repeatedly said, “No comment.”
According to Miami-Dade Police, Montesino, 57, used a red Mercedes-Benz to pull people over at the intersection of Southwest 120th Street and 122nd Avenue, at around 8 p.m., Tuesday.
Someone called police and claimed a civilian vehicle was attempting to make traffic stops.
A run of the license plate provided led officers to the 12000 block of Southwest 124th Terrace, where a red Mercedes was parked out front.
Investigators said, when police officers approached him, he presented them with a fake badge and talked about his years of service with the City of Miami Police Department.
Montesino appeared in bond court Wednesday morning.
“He had a Miami Police supporter badge in his wallet. He also had blue lights in his vehicle,” said Montesino’s wife during the hearing. “He had a siren, an intercom, a police flashlight.”
Officers found these items inside Montesino’s car.
Montesino’s wife described what happened when police arrived at their home.
“We were home havIng dinner. They knocked on our door,” she said.
Montesino’s wife told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer that her husband had returned home shortly before the officers showed up.
“I don’t understand, ’cause, you know…” said Montesino’s wife.
“‘Cause your husband is going around trying to pull over cars,” said Glazer.
Wednesday afternoon, no one answered the door at Montesino’s home when a 7News crew knocked on the door.
Neighbor Jose Hernandez said he thought Montesino was a retired police officer.
“We have talked, like, a couple of times, and he said previously that he was a police officer once,” he said.
According to the police report, Montesino told officers the same story on Tuesday, but he was unable to provide a shred of proof.
“He claims he’s a retired City of Miami Police officer with 19 years of service, and no one should see the things that he did from his past police career, but he’s never been a police officer,” said Montesino’s wife.
He has been charged with impersonating a police officer, unlawful use of a badge and illegal use of blue lights.
Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.