INDIO, Calif. -- A 24-year-old man is facing charges after he allegedly used real but stolen law enforcement badges to lure and then rob from women at a nightclub.
Brandon Visyak, of Indio, was known to frequent a nightclub in San Bernardino and tell women he worked for a fire and police department in Riverside County, including showing them a California Department of Forestry badge that he unlawfully obtained.
On one occasion in February, Visyak allegedly was able to convince a woman that he was a firefighter and then took her to a local motel where he stole items from her purse while she slept.
He also reportedly used her credit card shortly after leaving the motel.
Visyak is also accused of another incident on March 16 where he forced himself into a woman's car outside the nightclub and wouldn't exit or let her in until after he stole her wallet.
Visyak was arrested on Thursday after Sheriff's officials were able to obtain a warrant to search his Indio home. Evidence found included two real law enforcement badges and property belonging to the victims.
He was booked on one count each of impersonating a firefighter, robbery, burglary and receiving stolen property.
He posted bail a short time later.
Copyright 2012 - KTLA-TV, Los Angeles
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
