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Man Accused Of Impersonating Officer, Robbing Victims

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TBO.com

Published: February 20, 2009

Brandon Niccoli

Polk County detectives said a Winter Haven man presented himself to people as a law enforcement officer, searched them, took their money and sprayed them with pepper spray.

Detectives have arrested Brandon Michael Niccoli, 23.

He was charged with five counts of impersonating a law enforcement officer and five counts of robbery with a weapon.

The investigation began when detectives responded to a Wahneta address Saturday to investigate a robbery. They later learned of the other robberies.

"In each of the cases, a heavy set white male wearing a dark colored shirt with a star, and uniform style pants was described," a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release states. "Victims told detectives that the suspect would approach on foot, present himself as a law enforcement officer, and then begin to search the victims. After taking property and cash from the victims, the suspect would spray them with pepper spray."

Niccoli is a former security guard for El Centenario in Wahneta.

He told investigators he targeted Mexican males because "if they were illegal aliens they would not report the crimes due to fear of being deported," detectives said.

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