Former Schuylkill County Cop Arrested for Impersonating Police During Traffic Stop

A former police officer in Schuylkill County was arrested overnight after police in Wilkes-Barre Township say he impersonated a police officer.

Police say they pulled over Angel Abreu-Nunez, 32, of Hazleton, for operating a vehicle with a phony temporary license plate.

According to information released by Wilkes-Barre Township Police Dept., Abreu-Nunez identified himself as an off-duty police officer. He allegedly provided police with a Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) identification card for a police department in Schuylkill County. 

Police say they contacted that department and learned that Abreu-Nunez hadn’t worked there in about a year. 

As Abreu-Nunez was taken into custody, police say they found another MPOETC identification card and a badge from another Schuylkill County police department. Police confirmed he no longer works there, either. 

Abreu-Nunez couldn’t name a police department for which he actually worked.

The Shenandoah Sentinel reports that Abreu-Nunez worked with Shenandoah Borough Police Dept.

Another source has confirmed that Abreu-Nunez also worked for Tamaqua Police Dept.

A follow-up search of Abreu-Nunez’ vehicle resulted in the discovery of more counterfeit temporary license plates. Police believe this is an indication that he was creating these plates himself.

Abreu-Nunez was arraigned Monday morning before District Magistrate Judge Donald Whitaker. He’s been charged with impersonating a public servant, a second-degree misdemeanor, and several summary traffic offenses.

Whitaker set bail at 10% of $50,000, which hasn’t been posted and Abreu-Nunez is being held in Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

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