The FBI and detectives from the Philadelphia Police Department have arrested a man suspected of impersonating a police officer to defraud a string of local gay men.
Police arrested Michael Daniels, 26, of the 1600 block of North 56th Street, at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 9 after a month-long search.
Philadelphia Police spokesperson Sgt. Ray Evers said the arrest was the result of “good cooperation with the community, local detectives and federal authorities who all worked together to find this person. The gentleman was difficult to locate, and we’re relieved that he’s off the street.”
Bail was set at $10,000, which Daniels could not post.
He was arraigned Oct. 15 on multiple charges of burglary, criminal conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft by extortion, receiving stolen property, criminal trespassing, possession of an instrument of crime and impersonating a public servant.
Police issued a bench warrant for Daniels in September after four men who had posted ads for male sex partners on Web site Craigslist reported they were threatened by a man purporting to be a police officer.
In each case, Daniels allegedly responded to the ads and then arrived at the victims’ homes or other meeting places wearing a detective’s badge and carrying handcuffs and a walkie-talkie.
The perpetrator told the victims that none of them had verified that he was over 18 and that he would arrest them for solicitation of a minor if they did not pay him. At least two of the men traveled with Daniels to withdraw money from the bank, one giving him $800 and the other $1,200.
A preliminary hearing will be held Nov. 16.
Daniels has a lengthy arrest record dating back to 2001. He has been charged with theft, the unauthorized use of an automobile, disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and reckless endangerment.
Evers said more men may have been targeted, and encouraged those who had similar encounters to report them to East Detective Division at (215) 686-3243.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].