MAN HELD ON SUSPICION OF IMPERSONATING U.S. MARSHAL :LAKE COUNTY SEX OFFENDER HAD TASERS, BODY ARMOR AND FAKE GUNS, AUTHORITIES SAY

A Hidden Valley sex offender was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a federal agent and having a cache of law enforcement equipment including Tasers and body armor, and had pellet guns modified to look like real firearms, a Lake County sheriff's spokesman said.

Hector Molinar, 66, was picked up Thursday night after identifying himself as a U.S. marshal to the victim of a suspected battery in Middletown, Lt. Steve Brooks said.

When contacted by deputies, he insisted he was a marshal but calls to the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed he wasn't, Brooks said.

The agency said Molinar had been under investigation for impersonating a federal officer, Brooks said.

After the man's arrest, deputies searched his home and found a trove of items associated with a non-existent federal agency, Brooks said.

Molinar had two Tasers, body armor, multiple identification cards, marshal badges and three pellet guns modified to look like real firearms, Brooks said. All the items were confiscated.

Molinar was booked into Lake County Jail on possession of false identification, being a felon in possession of body armor, obstructing an officer, possession of a Taser by a felon and altering an imitation firearm.

His arrest prompted a warning from Lake County Sheriff Frank Rivero about stopping for unmarked police vehicles.

Rivero said residents who are concerned about their safety should not pull over and instead should keep driving until they see a marked enforcement vehicle.

Also, Rivero said drivers could use a cell phone to call 911 and have the dispatcher confirm whether the stop is legitimate.