Banning Man Claiming To Be FBI Agent May Have Victimized Residents

BANNING, CA — A man who told Banning police he was an FBI agent — after officers questioned his vehicle's flashing lights — was behind bars Wednesday because investigators say his law enforcement credentials were a ruse.

Hector Francisco Ponce, 40, of Banning was taken into custody Tuesday evening at a retail center at 300 S. Highland Springs Avenue on suspicion of impersonating a peace officer, attempting to take a firearm from a police officer, and obstruction, jail records show.

His arrest came after Banning police were called to the parking lot of the Highland Springs Avenue address shortly after 6 p.m. A caller reported "a suspicious subject" standing near a vehicle that displayed red and blue flashing lights, according to a report from the Banning Police Department.

The man was Ponce, and he identified himself as an FBI agent, pulling out fraudulent credentials to back his claim, police said.

When officers poked through Ponce's apparent smokescreen, he became uncooperative and combative, according to police.

Officers ultimately subdued Ponce and placed him under arrest. He was booked into Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility and was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, according to jail records.

The Banning Police Department is asking for the public’s help. If anyone has been victimized by someone impersonating a peace officer, possibly Ponce, contact the department's Detective Bureau at 951-922-3170.