Man arrested for impersonating a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy

A 59-year-old Miami man turned himself in Friday on a warrant for impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Francisco Pichel was released at approximately 2:57 a.m. after posting a $5,000 bail.

“Incidents such as these always concern me as the safety of citizens continues to be my number one priority,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “I want to thank the staff who worked on this case as well as our partners with Miami-Dade Police Department for their help.”

The incident occurred on May 30 on the 100 block of 3rd Lane in Key Largo.

A resident and a friend noticed a white BMW parked for a long time in front of the residence. The two men approached the vehicle. The driver and sole occupant was later identified as Pichel.

When the men asked the driver what he was up to, the driver displayed a gold law enforcement badge, stated that he was a “Monroe County Police Officer,” and that he was working on a case. Pichel also stated, “Don’t worry, I’m Monroe County,” and that he was waiting for another law enforcement officer to relieve him. The two men went back inside and the BMW left at approximately the same time.

The men then contacted a neighbor who stated a man matching that description approached him in the rear of his home while he was working on his boat. The neighbor thought it was strange someone who walk onto another’s property that way. The neighbor stated the man, later identified as Pichel, asked him if he knew a contractor named Freddie. The neighbor stated he did not and Pichel left.

Security footage reviewed by Detective Ian Barnett confirmed the three men’s version of events.

Pichel has no history of working for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

A warrant was obtained for Pichel’s arrest.

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