Cape Coral police need help identifying home invasion suspects that pretended to be police

Cape Coral Police Department is asking for help identifying a suspect from a home invasion on October 10.

CCPD says, two males entered a SW 14th Place home in the evening wearing black t-shirts and black hats with “Police” written on them.

The men struck the victim in the head a couple times, then pulled out a semiautomatic gun. They proceeded to zip tied the victim’s hands and feet together, per the CCPD report.

One of the men watched the victim while the other ravaged through the home for 15 minutes. They asked him where he keeps his pain medication.

Before the men left through the front door, they took a Verizon flip phone, a wallet and $385 in cash.

Cape Coral police need help identifying the suspects, one wearing the gray baseball cap, and the other male standing outside the vehicle.

If you have any information on the identity of the suspect, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223. You can also submit an anonymous tip.

To do so, go to www.capecops.com/tips or text a tip- text CCPD+”Your Message” to CRIMES (274637). Finally, you can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. Please use this Case Report # 18-019575.

How to spot a fake police officer

Impound lots and online stores selling fake badges make it easy for some to impersonate law enforcement officers, but methods to detect impostors still exist.

This incident of men accused of posing as officers in Cape Coral have raised concerns, but identification cards are key to helping determine whether someone representing himself as a cop is legitimate, retired police Lt. David Grossi sais in a previous interview.

ID cards usually have the officer’s photo, the name of the affiliated agency and the name of the head of that agency, according to Grossi.

If you’re unsure whether an officer you encounter is the real deal, follow these tips:

• Ask to see the officer’s ID card — not just the badge.
• Look for the name of the agency on the officer’s uniform
• Call 911 if you’re unsure. Any impostor will quickly depart if real police officers are on their way.