South Jersey man charged with impersonating Homeland Security officer.

A 32-year-old man from Sewell, New Jersey, faces serious charges following an incident in which he allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer. Nicholas M. Cabral was charged with impersonating a police officer and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose after he confronted local authorities during a police investigation on Wednesday afternoon in Washington Township, located in Gloucester County.

The incident began when Washington Township police responded to a report of an open front door at a home under construction on the 200 block of Strand Avenue. In an unusual turn of events, Cabral arrived at the scene in a marked vehicle belonging to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He claimed to be a police officer working for the agency, a statement corroborated by the local police department.

As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Cabral had initiated the call about the open door himself. Additionally, he reportedly attempted to assist police officers in securing the property while in possession of a handgun. Although he possessed a valid permit to carry the firearm, subsequent inquiries disclosed that he had no affiliation with any law enforcement agency.

The vehicle that Cabral utilized was confirmed to be assigned to his wife, who is a police officer for Homeland Security but was out of state on assignment at the time of the incident. Following the investigation, the Department of Homeland Security was notified and subsequently took possession of the vehicle involved.

Further investigation using data harvested from automated license plate readers indicated that Cabral had been operating the vehicle with its emergency lights activated prior to appearing at the police scene. Reports reveal he made a stop at a Wendy’s restaurant, raising additional concerns about his misuse of the vehicle.

Cabral was taken into custody and later transferred to Salem County jail, where his firearm was confiscated as evidence. Although online court records confirm that he was released from custody the following day, no comment has been received from Cabral’s attorney or representatives from the Department of Homeland Security.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding impersonation of law enforcement in the United States and emphasizes the necessity for law enforcement agencies to be vigilant in ensuring that only qualified individuals represent them in official capacities. This case continues to develop as authorities investigate the full scope of Cabral’s actions.

The community remains unsettled as the local police department and various agencies work to address the implications of this incident, reinforcing the importance of public trust in law enforcement. Media News Source will follow developments in this case closely as they emerge.