By: Richard L. Smith
A Wayne man has been charged after authorities say he impersonated a law enforcement officer, handcuffed a woman during a fake traffic stop on Interstate 80, and attempted to kidnap her in Morris County earlier this month.
According to information released by Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Morris County Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and New Jersey State PoliceActing Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle, Julio D. Estrada-Mogollon, 36, of Wayne, has been charged with attempted kidnapping, theft, and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
Authorities said the incident began at approximately 2:15 a.m. on May 3.
The victim had left a business in Saddle Brook and was traveling westbound on Route 80 when she was pulled over in Roxbury by a dark-colored sedan displaying emergency lights.
Believing the vehicle belonged to law enforcement, she complied with the stop.
Investigators allege the driver requested her identification, ordered her out of the vehicle, and conducted what appeared to be a field sobriety test.
The suspect then allegedly placed the woman in handcuffs and informed her that she was under arrest.
When the victim asked to see the officer’s badge, authorities said the suspect returned to his vehicle. Seizing the opportunity, the woman fled the scene in her car.
She later managed to free herself from the handcuffs and discovered her cellphone was missing. The incident was subsequently reported to the New Jersey State Police.
During the investigation, authorities located the victim’s cellphone in Paterson the following day.
Detectives later determined that the vehicle involved in the incident was registered to Estrada-Mogollon.
Following the investigation, Estrada-Mogollon was charged on May 12 with second-degree attempted kidnapping, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, and fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer.