A Rhododendron man was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer in the Mount Hood area last weekend, and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is seeking more information and tips in the case.
Deputies say they arrested Benz on Saturday, February 4, after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting that he was “patrolling” the Mt. Hood Meadows parking lot in a silver Dodge Charger, pretending to be a police officer and engaging in other unusual behavior.
Benz was reportedly wearing black body armor while driving a vehicle that looked like an unmarked police car and claimed to be a member of the Oregon State Police when contacted by Mt. Hood Meadows security personnel, the sheriff’s office said.
This is not Benz’s first brush with the law. In 2011, he was arrested by Oregon State Police after he reportedly drove recklessly and used a vehicle equipped with a full-roof light bar, strobe lighting, and siren to move through traffic after the Hillsboro International Air Show. Benz later pled guilty to reckless driving.
Benz is the registered owner of two vehicles with after-market emergency lights: a silver 2019 Dodge Charger outfitted with a spotlight, after-market emergency lights, and a black badge decal; and a gold 2006 Toyota Sequoia sport utility vehicle, outfitted with a rooftop light bar.
Anyone else who believes they may have been contacted by Benz or witnessed him impersonating law enforcement is asked to please call the sheriff’s office non-emergency line at 503-655-8211.
Anyone with additional information on Benz is asked to contact the sheriff’s office tip line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form. Please reference case no. 23-002619.
