BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS OWNER
A Baileyton, Alabama man remains in the Elmore County Jail after being booked on January 23, 2022 with charges including Impersonating a Peace Officer and Unlawful Imprisonment. Alvaro Jimenez has a bond of $25,0000.
This isn’t the first time he has been accused on a similar charge by authorities. It isn’t the first time we have talked to women over the years who say Jiminez claimed to be a police officer. We have a file on the suspect dating back several years. Alvaro Jimenez, now 38, has also gone under different names on social media, often posting photos of himself in various police uniforms. Those photos of him in police uniforms have since been taken down.
Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson confirmed that in that city an incident of reported police impersonation attached to Jimenez dating back to 2011 is still on file. We have reached out to the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for more information on files that may be available to confirm any possible arrests and/or court proceedings.
As for this confirmed arrest Jan. 23, Jimenez is accused of impersonating a police officer and handcuffing a woman after he allegedly began following her near Wetumpka, and pulled her over outside of city limits.
Jimenez was reportedly in an SUV with blue lights on the windshield which he reportedly turned on as he followed the woman’s car. Below is the incident recounted by his accuser.
We are not identifying the alleged victim, but for this story we shall call her “Dee.”
“I thought a cop was behind me, and I was being pulled over,” Dee told the EAN.
Dee had been visiting with a friend in Millbrook, who is a legitimate police officer, the evening of Jan. 10, and was traveling home.
“I had just left from there and got pulled over by this guy. He told me he could smell alcohol on my breath and told me to get out of the car for a field sobriety test. Through that I had to walk a straight line, stand on one foot, touch my nose, and he told me to say the alphabet backwards. I know what a field sobriety is, and saying the alphabet backwards is not it.”
Dee alleges the man she later identified as Alvaro, claimed to be Deputy Hubert with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office.
“He told me he wouldn’t arrest me but that he would follow me home for safety,” Dee said.
But as Dee began driving toward her home, something did not seem right to her. That suspicion increased when he once again, reportedly, turned on the blue lights on his vehicle and she pulled into a gas station.
“He got my drivers license and insurance card for a second time, and he seemed really angry,” Dee said. “That is when he realized I had a juvenile in my car. He snatched me out of my car and put me in handcuffs slamming me against my car. He started punching my car. I still have dents from it. I begged him to let me call someone to come get the child in my car if I was going to be arrested. He finally took the handcuffs off of me and I got back into the driver’s seat. I called a family member because I thought I was going to jail. He (allegedly Jimenez) told me he would give me 45 minutes to arrange someone to come and pick up the juvenile in the vehicle, but that he would be back and left.”
Dee’s family member arrived and meanwhile Dee had contacted her friend who is a police officer. That officer got in touch with his department and his dispatch in Millbrook.
From there the Millbrook Dispatch office contacted Elmore County and it soon became clear that no legitimate police officer in the area had made the traffic stop.
“That is when so many Elmore deputies began arriving, and I was so very happy to see them. It was beautiful to see them driving up. They asked me legitimate details,” Dee said. “If he did come back, he saw all of the real deputies and kept driving,” Dee said.
Through the Elmore Sheriff’s Office investigation, they were able to make contact with Jimenez and take him into custody.
In retrospect, Dee said there were several things that did not add up. There was no brush guard on the vehicle. The blue light bar was on top of the windshield, and the vehicle did not have an official logo. She said that the “officer” was wearing a bullet proof vest that looked more like a costume.
On what appeared to be a bullet proof vest Dee said there was stitching that read Elmore Sheriff. She does not remember seeing a gun, but did noet what appeared to be a Taser.
Once she had time to reflect on what had happened, Dee said that while she is not happy, she hopes that if anyone else has had a similar situation they will come forward and contact law enforcement.
We reached out to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department and confirmed that Jimenez has never been a post-certified police officer for any agency, but has reportedly worked in security. He also reportedly has worked security for bars. Officers would very much like to talk to anyone who feels they may have had a similar incident concerning Jimenez.
On Jimenez’ current Facebook page, under Spirit White Eagle, there are several photos of him with shirts that say security. He has photos and memes in support of law enforcement.
If anyone feels they may have had a similar encounter, please contact the law enforcement agency in your jurisdiction, or the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, which is currently investigating this case.
We want to remind you that a charge is not proof of guilt. Alvaro Jimenez is considered innocent until proven otherwise. He remains in the Elmore County Jail as of this report.
If you have had a similar incident, please contact the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office at (334) 567-5441 or the police department in the jurisdiction where the encounter was made.
If you are ever in a situation where you are unsure if the person who has pulled you over is truly an officer, there are steps to take.
Call 911 to verify that the person stopping you is a police officer.
Turn on your hazard lights and slowly make your way to the nearest populated/well-lit area and advise the dispatcher of the location you intend on stopping.
Know your location, which you will want to relay to dispatch. This helps if it is an illegitimate stop and allows officers to find you. Landmarks, restaurants, stores and streets are examples to help with your location.
Describe the vehicle stopping you to dispatch to the best of your ability. This can help confirm if this is with a law enforcement agency.
Follow the dispatcher’s directions.
Stay on the phone with the dispatcher until they verify it is a legitimate stop.
