California assistant fire chief arrested on suspicion of impersonating a cop
The assistant fire chief in La Habra Heights was arrested Thursday, Jan. 27 on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and felony false imprisonment, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced.
Timothy Peel, 34, was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Public Corruption Unit after it served a search warrant in the 15000 block of Danbrook Drive in Whittier.
Peel used a 2020 white Chevy Silverado 2500 HD equipped with lights and a siren to conduct traffic stops and unlawfully detained his victims, according to a news release. It did not say when or where that happened. Nor did it provide additional details, or say what would have led Peel to impersonate an officer.
Booking records show Peel was being held at the Sheriff’s Department’s Norwalk station jail in lieu of $100,000.
The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Division. Peel is scheduled to appear at Downey Superior Court on Monday, Jan. 31.
City officials said earlier Thursday they were aware of Peel’s arrest, but not the specifics of the case.
Mayor Dennis Laherty said he was at a virtual city workshop where the arrest came up. He said he was waiting for details.
City Manager Fabiola Huerta also knew about the arrest. She said there was a search warrant served at the Fire Department but she didn’t know what was seized.
“We really don’t have information,” she said.
It wasn’t clear if Peel was placed on administrative leave. Huerta said she cannot discuss personnel matters.
She did say Peel started as a volunteer at the Fire Department but wasn’t sure of the specific date.
Fire Chief Doug Graft couldn’t be reached for comment. Huerta said Graft was off Thursday.
The La Habra Heights Fire Department has volunteer firefighters, paid paramedics and a paid fire chief, assistant chief and captain, she added. She estimated the total number of employees, from firefighters to non-firefighters, at 40 to 50.
The sheriff’s department is seeking the public’s help in identifying victims who may have been unlawfully detained by Peel.
Anyone with information should contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at 213-229-1700. Those preferring to provide information anonymously can call “Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-8477.