The black Dodge Charger, its red-and-blue emergency lights flashing while chasing another car on Portland’s North Marine Drive, looked like an unmarked police car, but the driver had no license and wasn’t an officer, police said.
The 20-year-old man behind the wheel, Jonathan G. Bautista-Limon, was cited for criminal impersonation of a public servant last Saturday night, Portland police Sgt. Kevin Allen said.
Officers found Bautista-Limon with a gun belt, fake badge and realistic-looking airsoft gun, police said. The Dodge Charger had a police-style bumper with flashing lights, as well as emergency lights in the front windshield and rear window.
Police want to know if he may have pulled over others.
Portland officers were involved in a special mission Saturday night addressing street racing in North Portland when an officer spotted the car chase about 8:15 p.m., police said. The cars were heading westbound on North Marine Drive, approaching Kelley Point Park.
Once police confirmed the Dodge Charger didn’t belong to police, officers stopped it at North Simmons Road and North Lombard Street, according to Allen.
Bautista-Limon also was cited for failure to carry proof of insurance and operating a vehicle without driving privileges, according to police. Police said they had no certain address for Bautista-Limon.
A second car appeared to be participating in the chase and also was stopped. The white 2014 Chevrolet Caprice had a police-style spotlight on it and detachable white flashing lights inside. Also in the Caprice was a tactical vest, airsoft pistol and duty belt with a gun holster, Allen said.
Both cars were registered to the driver of the Caprice, Sokhomanete D. Son, 31, of Beaverton, who was cited for failing to carry proof of insurance, Allen said. He was not cited for impersonating police because the car he was driving wasn’t actively trying to stop another vehicle, Allen said.
Police had both cars towed.
Police ask anyone with information about these cars, the drivers or if they’ve been stopped by them to email crimetips@portlandoregon.gov, referencing case number 22-121134.
