Police: Fake federal agent targeted Palm Bay officer
Police: Fake federal agent targeted Palm Bay officer
Police said a man pretending to be a card-carrying, federal Homeland Security agent, picked the wrong victim to question when he pulled up to a Palm Bay home late Sunday in a car decked with flashing strobe-lights and a dog in a tactical vest.
The victim, it turned out, was an off-duty Palm Bay police officer, who acted quickly, taking the man into custody before calling dispatchers to report the man’s suspicious behavior.
“He went to the house and presented himself as a federal agent. But the victim was actually a police officer. We want to see if there are any more victims out there,” said Mike Bandish, spokesman for the Palm Bay Police Department.
Anthony Anselmo Ottaviano, a 36-year-old man who investigators said worked as a paramedic, was charged with impersonating an officer during the commission of a felony and attempted burglary after Palm Bay police were called to the officer’s home. He is being held on a $20,000 bond at the Brevard County Jail Complex, records show.
It was the second arrest of a person in less than a week who Palm Bay police said represented himself as a law enforcement officer. The other case involved Sean Davis, Grant-Valkaria, who told people that he was a military police officer at Patrick Air Base. Police said Davis had placed an ad online for house cleaners and conducted body searches on two women applying to clean his residence.
The status of the dog was not immediately known.
Detectives are reviewing the case. Anyone with information in the case is asked to call police at 321-952-3456.
How We Can Help
If you, a friend or a family member find themselves in a situation such as this, please call the Law Office of Scott A. Ferris, P.A. at 305 670-3330 right away. Scott A. Ferris, Esq. is a licensed civil law attorney who has been practicing law since 1987. He is available whenever you need him to pursue your rights. Please learn about our firm at www.FerrisLawFirm.com.
Republished by the Law Office of Scott A. Ferris, P.A.