A man was arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for allegedly impersonating a deputy and driving under the influence in San Joaquin County. The incident occurred last Monday when a CHP officer on a construction detail noticed a black-and-white vehicle resembling a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office patrol car blocking State Route 99 near Yosemite Avenue.
According to a CHP social media post, the officer attempted to make contact with the driver, identified as Kevin Michael Silva. The vehicle then drove away, and the CHP officer initiated a traffic stop at the Yosemite Avenue off-ramp. Authorities confirmed Silva was alone in the vehicle and not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. He was reportedly intoxicated during the encounter and subsequent chase.
Silva was booked on charges of driving under the influence and operating an unauthorized law enforcement patrol vehicle. The CHP advised the public to look for emergency lights and sirens as indicators of a legitimate law enforcement vehicle. They also recommend calling 9-1-1 to verify the legitimacy of a traffic stop if there is any doubt about the identity of the officer.
The vehicle was approximately hundreds of miles away from Los Angeles County, a detail that was noted as a significant discrepancy by the CHP officer.