Police Say NJ Man Posed as DHS Officer Using Wife’s Marked Cruiser
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A New Jersey man has been charged after police say he used his wife’s marked Department of Homeland Security vehicle to impersonate a federal officer while responding to a call he placed himself.
Washington Township police say Nicholas M. Cabral, 32, arrived on December 10 at a home under construction on Strand Avenue driving a marked DHS police cruiser and identified himself as a Homeland Security officer. Cabral had earlier called 911 to report an unsecured door at the property.
According to police, Cabral was armed with a handgun while assisting at the scene. Although he possessed a valid New Jersey permit to carry, investigators later determined he was not authorized to act in a law enforcement capacity.
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Authorities say suspicion arose when the responding township officer noted that federal DHS officers typically do not handle routine municipal calls. A follow-up investigation confirmed Cabral is not employed by DHS or any law enforcement agency.
Police later learned the vehicle belonged to Cabral’s wife, a legitimate DHS police officer who was out of state on a 20-day official assignment at the time. Automated license plate reader data showed Cabral had driven the vehicle on multiple occasions while she was away, including activating emergency lights during non-official trips.
DHS was notified and seized the vehicle. Cabral turned himself in on December 11 and was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. His firearm was seized as evidence.
Police described the incident as “extremely serious” and are asking anyone who may have encountered Cabral while he was operating the marked vehicle to contact investigators.
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