Newark Man Arrested for Posing as Federal Officer During Late-Night Robberies
According to authorities, a 44-year-old Newark resident was detained for robbing two persons on the same street overnight last week while posing as a federal immigration officer.
Police say Julio A. Garcia Barrera of Newark committed two North 8th Street robberies by claiming to work for U.S. immigration authorities. Investigators say he used intimidation and trickery to influence his victims before stealing cash and personal belongings in both cases.
Early Thursday morning, the 600 block of North 8th Street saw the first incident. Police claimed a dark-colored SUV driver parked near a pedestrian and shone a flashlight at him. The driver showed the victim his sweatshirt logo and claimed to be an immigration officer. The guy then forced the man against a parked car, searched him, and stole $500 from his wallet before driving away. The victim reported the crime to the Newark Police Department’s 7th Precinct at 3:35 a.m.
Police reported a second robbery two days later in the same neighborhood. Two males exited an SUV as a victim walked approached his parked car near Bloomfield Avenue at 3:40 a.m. Saturday. Police said the driver approached the man, put a flashlight in his face, and asked about his citizenship. The suspect then unbuttoned his jacket to reveal a yellow “ICE” emblem, posing as a federal agent.
The suspect pressed the victim against a brick wall, searched him, and stole his wallet before fleeing. The victim’s driver’s license, $300, and debit card were in the wallet. Police found the debit card used at many East Orange gas stations after the incident.
After investigating, Newark police found Garcia Barrera on Monday in a parked car on the 200 block of 1st Avenue. He was arrested peacefully.
Police charged him with two robberies and two impersonations of official servants. Garcia Barrera has no attorney listed in court documents.
Police have not revealed any relationship between the suspect and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other government agencies. Police warn citizens that actual federal officials carry identification and do not conduct street interrogations.
The legal process is ongoing, and no further details have been published.
Sources
Newark Police Department
New Jersey Court Records
