KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A 59-year-old woman was found severely beaten in a Kissimmee home Tuesday morning by an alleged cop impersonator.
Deputies say Andy Roques-Arencibia, 20, is now locked up in the Osceola County Jail facing several charges including attempted murder and unlawful use of a law enforcement badge.
However, an alert is now out because investigators said he may have also hurt or conned other victims in Central Florida.
Officers were called out to Arencibia's home at 356 Buttonwood Drive in Kissimmee around 7:30 a.m. When deputies arrived, they said the front door was open and his 59-year-old roommate was beaten up. She told deputies, they were arguing when Arencibia began hitting her on the head with a metal object.
"That's crazy. That's insane," said Rachel Vargas, who lives down the street. "We see (Arencibia) out all the time like on I-drive and hanging out at the Ale House. He seemed like a cool kid."
Deputies said they soon spotted Arencibia at a school bus stop in the area of Buttonwood Drive and East Cedarwood near Parkway Middle School. Deputies said when they approached him, he told them he was "special forces police for Puerto Rico" and was carrying a black baton, pepper spray, a 9-inch folding knife with a law enforcement insignia on the side and a sliver badge which read, "Special police."
"Oh, that's scary because you never know who's going to stop you," said Vargas. "Getting pulled over and girls being attacked. It just makes you wonder like who really is safe."
Deputies said Arencibia's roommate was rushed to a local hospital and at last check was listed in critical condition.
Detectives are encouraging anyone who may have had contact with Arencibia while he was impersonating himself as a law enforcement officer to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).