A 30-year-old man was arrested in Santa Clara County for impersonating a police officer after a sheriff's deputy stopped a Nissan Rogue with expired tags, officials said. The man, identified as Jose Alfredo Garcia Vasquez, was dressed in a "security" uniform that included a police insignia, a duty belt, and a bulletproof vest. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Diaz from the West Valley Patrol Division made the enforcement stop and discovered the questionable attire. According to the sheriff's office Facebook page, upon consent, a search of the vehicle turned up two firearms, two batons, OC spray, and methamphetamine.

Not only was the suspect's vehicle, which was mistaken for an unmarked police car, outfitted with "Code 3" emergency lights, but Vasquez also did not possess a guard card at the time. Having taken it upon himself to equip the vehicle with the lights was but one of the multiple charges against him. In an unregistered vehicle, wearing what turned out to be a Falsification of Registration, the suspect was also found with an array of illegal paraphernalia and controlled substances, as per KTVU report Henry K. Lee.

Authorities have listed multiple charges against Vasquez, including Impersonating a Peace Officer, Possession of a Baton, Possession of a Concealed Firearm, Possession of Tear Gas, Falsification of Registration, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Possession of a Controlled Substance with a Loaded Firearm, and Possession of Methamphetamine. 

While the details of what led to the initial traffic stop remain with expired tags, the checklist of alleged crimes that follow Vasquez has become a matter of public record and a warning against such fraudulent activities. The investigation is ongoing as officials delve into the motives and potential ramifications of Vasquez's impersonation.