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La Habra Heights Assistant Fireplace Chief Timothy Peel was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Public Corruption Unit on Thursday, Jan. 27. Peel is suspected of impersonating a peace officer, conducting visitors stops, and unlawfully detaining his victims. (Courtesy of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Division)
The assistant hearth 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 Division introduced.
Timothy Peel, 34, was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Public Corruption Unit after it served a search warrant within the 15000 block of Danbrook Drive in Whittier.
Peel used a 2020 white Chevy Silverado 2500 HD outfitted with lights and a siren to conduct visitors stops and unlawfully detained his victims, in keeping with a information launch. It didn't say when or the place that occurred. Nor did it present further particulars, or say what would have led Peel to impersonate an officer.
Reserving data present Peel was being held on the Sheriff’s Division’s Norwalk station jail in lieu of $100,000.
The case will probably be introduced to the Los Angeles County District Legal professional’s Public Integrity Division. Peel is scheduled to seem at Downey Superior Court docket on Monday, Jan. 31.
Metropolis officers stated earlier Thursday they had been conscious of Peel’s arrest, however not the specifics of the case.
Mayor Dennis Laherty stated he was at a digital metropolis workshop the place the arrest got here up. He stated he was ready for particulars.
Metropolis Supervisor Fabiola Huerta additionally knew concerning the arrest. She stated there was a search warrant served on the Fireplace Division however she didn’t know what was seized.
“We actually don’t have info,” she stated.
It wasn’t clear if Peel was positioned on administrative go away. Huerta stated she can not talk about personnel issues.
She did say Peel began as a volunteer on the Fireplace Division however wasn’t certain of the precise date.
Fireplace Chief Doug Graft couldn’t be reached for remark. Huerta stated Graft was off Thursday.
The La Habra Heights Fireplace Division has volunteer firefighters, paid paramedics and a paid hearth chief, assistant chief and captain, she added. She estimated the entire variety of workers, from firefighters to non-firefighters, at 40 to 50.
The sheriff’s division is in search of the general public’s assist in figuring out victims who might have been unlawfully detained by Peel.
Anybody with info ought to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division at 213-229-1700. These preferring to supply info anonymously can name “Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-8477.