Man suspected of impersonating police officer, robbing Santa Rosa fruit vendor

Flashing a badge and claiming to be a police officer, a man handcuffed a Santa Rosa fruit vendor Saturday before robbing him of cash, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

A witness to the robbery at Calistoga and Porter Creek roads reported the license plate of the suspect’s truck and the pickup was spotted early Sunday in Calistoga, leading to the arrest of John Aloia, 38, of Santa Rosa, sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum said in a news release.

Aloia stopped at the roadside fruit stand about 4 p.m. Saturday and approached the seller, showing him a badge and claiming to be an officer, Crum said.

He demanded to see a permit, then grabbed the 34-year-old Oakland man and handcuffed him. After rifling through the man’s pockets and stealing money the suspect released the vendor and told him to close up his stand, Crum said.

The suspect then drove off in a gray Chevrolet pickup. The truck was found about 12:30 a.m. Sunday on Foothill Boulevard in Calistoga. A Napa County sheriff’s deputy found Aloia in the truck as well as handcuffs, a handgun in a locked case and a bail bondsman badge, Crum said.

Aloia was arrested on suspicion of robbery and kidnapping and booked into the Sonoma County Jail. He later posted a bond for $50,000 bail and was released. Crum said other possible charges, including impersonating a law enforcement officer, are pending.

Randi Rossmann