ALBUQUERQUE – A New Mexico man is facing charges after authorities say he tried to impersonate a sheriff’s deputy to an undercover police officer.
A criminal complaint said Daniel Mitchem was arrested Saturday after a high-speed chase in Albuquerque.
According to police, Mitchem, 46, had approached an undercover detective during an auto theft operation and told the officer he was a sheriff’s deputy and showed a gun.
When the detective said he was an officer, Mitchem fled in his Chevy Tahoe, according to the complaint.
Mitchem was eventually arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer and felon in possession of a firearm, police said.
Mitchem told officers he thought the undercover detective was trying to steal a car and wanted to stop him.
Officers also reported finding heroin and methamphetamine on Mitchem and charged him with drug possession.
It was not known if he had an attorney.
