A 40-year-old man suspected of trying to pass himself off as a federal law enforcement agent in Banning and then turning confrontational with arresting officers, trying to take one’s firearm, was behind bars Wednesday.
Hector Francisco Ponce of Banning was arrested and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning Tuesday night on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer, resisting arrest and attempting to remove the firearm of a law enforcement official.
Ponce was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
According to the Banning Police Department, shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday, witnesses contacted police to report a “suspicious subject” in the parking lot of a business in the 300 block of South Highland Springs Avenue, just south of Interstate 10.
The man, later identified as Ponce, was “standing near a vehicle with red and blue flashing lights,” according to an agency statement.
Several patrol units went to the location, and officers encountered the suspect, who initially identified himself as an FBI agent, even exhibiting a fake badge, police alleged.
“During the contact, the male became uncooperative and fought with officers,” according to the statement.
After a brief struggle, officers wrestled Ponce into custody. No one was injured, police said.
Investigators expressed concern that the suspect may have targeted individuals while pretending to be a law enforcement officer. Anyone with information was asked to contact detectives at 951-922-3170.
Background information on Ponce was unavailable.