An Arizona man — Keith Michael Venrick — is a real prisoner after falsely identifying himself as a San Diego Police officer. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Twin Peaks, CA – A 42-year-old “fake cop” is now a real prisoner after being arrested for impersonating a peace officer and being in possession of a stolen vehicle. The man–identified by Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Detective Justin Long as Keith Michael Venrick — is a resident of Phoenix, Arizona.
A media release from the Twin Peaks Station lists the victims as the people of California and the Hertz Corporation.
Venrick is scheduled to be arraigned via video from the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27.
THE CASE
Detective Long and deputy Ron Miller’s release shows the incident began on Sunday, January 25, at about 1:05 p.m. Deputies responded to a business in the 27900 block of Lakes Edge Road in Lake Arrowhead after the firm notified authorities that a subject at the location was impersonating a San Diego Police officer.
The reporting party — according to the information released to the press –stated the suspect (Venrick) was at the location identifying himself as a government official. When asked to provide identification, Venrick reportedly displayed a San Diego Police Department badge.
The San Diego Police Department was contacted by the business in an attempt to verify Venrick’s employment only to be informed he was not a police officer and was not employed by the department.
Venrick and 43-year-old Kelly Lynn Hardy, also from Arizona, had left the Lake Arrowhead business before deputies arrives at the location.
SUSPECT LOCATED
At about 4:20 p.m. on January 25, Venrick and Hardy were located near the intersection of Lake Drive and Pioneer Camp Road in Crestline.
Deputies determined the two were in possession of a stolen silver 2013 Nissan Altima with Maryland plates. Officers also allegedly observed that Venrick and Hardy had multiple items in the vehicle consistent with identity theft.
Deputies are currently seeking possible additional victims to support identity theft related charges.
The San Diego Police Department badge was not recovered during the investigation.
CONTACT SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station is urging anyone with information about the case to call (909) 226-0600.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or leave information online at WE-TIP. (23)