KISSIMEE, Fla. -- An Orlando TV news anchor was arrested Friday on a charge of impersonating a law enforcement officer stemming from a road-rage incident in February, according to deputies.
Victor Juan Martinez, 33, of Kissimmee, an anchor for Central Florida News 13 En Español, was arrested on a felony warrant and booked into the Osceola County Jail with bail set at $1,000.
An investigation began Feb. 15 when deputies were called for a road-rage incident on state Road 417, Osceola County sheriff's deputies said.
According to the motorist, a man later identified as Martinez followed him to his home and partially blocked him in his driveway with his vehicle, deputies said. The man approached Martinez, and asked him why he followed him, deputies said. Martinez reached into his jacket, prompting the man, who had his son with him, to call 911, deputies said.
Martinez walked toward the man, pulled out a billfold that contained a badge and said he was a police officer, according to the Sheriff's Office. Martinez also said that he knew where the man lived and had his license number, according to deputies.
The man said Martinez then quickly got back in his vehicle and sped away, according to deputies.
The man gave authorities a partial license plate number of the vehicle belonging to Martinez, who was later positively identified by the man, deputies said.
When interviewed by detectives, Martinez denied the incident, saying he could not have been involved because he was a news anchor and was working that day.
The News Channel 13 general manager said Martinez will not be on the air for the time being.
Martinez was previously a volunteer with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and was given credentials that might resemble a badge, deputies said. Martinez told detectives he currently volunteers with the city of Orlando's Police Department, according to the Sheriff's Office.
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