Police in Maryland arrested a fake cop Thursday for raping a man. Not only that, but they worry there could be more victims. The Prince George’s County Police said they booked 36-year-old Michael Leon Bell for an assault that happened early Sunday morning.
According to the police statement on Facebook, Bell approached the alleged victim on the street. The suspect wore a badge from his neck, described himself as a cop, and asked for the man’s ID. Bell allegedly performed a pat down. Then he offered the man a ride home because the neighborhood was dangerous.
“The victim accepted,” said police. Bell allegedly drove for a while, stopped the car, then got into the backseat to rape the alleged victim. The man managed to escape the vehicle, however, and photographed Bell’s license plate, cops said. The suspect drove off, but police were able to find him because of that picture.
In their investigation, cops turned up multiple IDs belonging to other people, said top PGCPD spokesperson Jennifer Donelan at a press conference Thursday. Police believe this means there could be more victims. The investigation is ongoing.
Donelan said Bell is a security guard who both owns his company company, and works for another. She declined to name the businesses.
Cops said they booked the suspect on first-degree rape, second-degree assault, impersonating a police officer, and other charges. Jail records obtained by Law&Crime show that he remains at Prince George’s County Jail without bond as of Friday afternoon. It is unclear if he has an attorney. He could not be reached for comment.
[Mugshot via Prince George’s County Police Department]
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