LAPD Animal Cruelty officer impersonators take dog from Echo Park man

ECHO PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A search is underway for two women who pretended to be LAPD Animal Cruelty Task Force officers to take a man's dog in Echo Park.

Police said the imposters were dressed in what appeared to be green uniforms when they came to the home of Cesar Aguilar in the 1000 block of Waterloo Street on April 14 around 3:30 p.m.

The suspects told Aguilar they received multiple complaints about his dog 2-year-old pet "Fannie," who they said was being neglected.

"They were dressed like sheriffs with insignias on their shirts," he said. "[They told me] that you no give [your dog] water, you no give the food, you hitting your dog, you leave it all day, all night outside."

Aguilar added that those claims were lies and that Fannie was like his child. But the women reportedly gave the owner a flyer and said they were confiscating the dog.

Even though Fannie had not been neglected, the owner felt compelled to hand over his pet because the pair threatened to arrest him.

After the suspects left, Aguilar called the number listed on the flyer, which was actually the correct number for the ACTF office. That's when officials told Aguilar they were not involved in the incident.

Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Ryan Rabbett said detectives will search video surveillance cameras. The women may have entered through locked gates at the apartment complex with the help of a neighbor who also thought the women were legitimate.

The threat to public safety is heightened, Rabbett said, when scammers pose as officers.

"It is a separate charge, it's a felony crime. I don't know exactly what they would face in a court, but it is something we would look at very seriously," he added.

Both suspects were described as Hispanic women in their mid-30s, about 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds. They are said to be between the ages of 35 and 45.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the LAPD's Rampart Area Burglary Detectives at (213) 484-3400 or (877) LAPD-24-7.