Man accused of robbing a woman at an Orlando hotel is wanted for a similar crime in Lantana

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS12) — A man is accused of impersonating a police officer to rob a woman in her hotel room. It was later discovered that he had committed a similar crime in Lantana.

On August 23, the Orlando Police Department (OPD) responded to an armed robbery at a hotel near Universal Boulevard and International Drive. Officers met with a woman who reported that an unknown man had entered her hotel room with a badge around his neck, claiming to be a police officer.

The victim told investigators that the man handcuffed her and stole her wallet while apparently displaying a gun in his waistband, police said. The woman’s recollection of the events was confirmed by surveillance video.

According to OPD, officers were able to identify the suspect’s vehicle using surveillance video. The vehicle was spotted in several Florida cities in August. According to OPD, investigators were able to confirm the vehicle stopped at a Days Inn in Miami Springs. Investigators identified the suspect as Michael Darren Jesse Rodriguez, 27, of Poughkeepsie, New York.

Related: MCSO looking for women who stole from local store owner, bought gift cards and dinner

During a search, police discovered that Rodriguez was wanted in connection with an armed robbery similar to the one in Orlando that was being investigated by the Lantana Police Department in Palm Beach County, police said.

On September 8, the Lantana Police Department was contacted by the Gwinnett County Police Department in Georgia, who said they had arrested Rodriguez, who was riding in the same vehicle.

Orlando Police Department investigators traveled to Gwinnett County to search the suspect’s vehicle. There, investigators discovered a fake police badge, handcuffs and other evidence related to the Lantana and Orlando cases.

Based on the information uncovered, Orlando police were able to issue an arrest warrant. Once extradited to Orange Count, he will be charged with false representation of an office to commit a felony with a weapon, false imprisonment with a weapon and robbery with a firearm.

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