Man Impersonating Police Officer Accused Of Raping Woman In Tampa

Tampa FL

15 August, 2021

6:38 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man accused of impersonating a law enforcement officer and sexually battering a woman. Justin Evans, 35, is facing six charges including impersonating a public officer, sexual battery on a victim over 18, grand theft third degree, kidnapping and two counts of false imprisonment. According to the sheriff's office, just before midnight on Aug. 9, Evans began following a vehicle carrying three women from the Bull Market convenience store at 13742 N. 42nd St. in Tampa. Hillsborough Sheriff Justin Evans, 35, is facing six charges including impersonating a public officer, sexual battery on a victim over 18, grand theft third degree, kidnapping and two counts of false imprisonment. (Photo courtesy of the Hillsborough Sheriff) Shortly after, he pulled the women's vehicle over on 42nd Street, pretending to be law enforcement by equipping his 2016 Chevrolet Malibu with LED lights believed to be mounted to the dashboard. The woman driving the vehicle pulled into the Willow Brook Apartments at 14417 Hellenic Drive. Evans, who was wearing dark clothing, approached the vehicle and identified himself as a law enforcement officer who was conducting a narcotics investigation. All three women were ordered out of the vehicle and told to put their hands on the hood while Evans conducted a body search. Deputies said Evans told one 27-year-old woman that she was under arrest. He tied her hands behind her back with a zip tie then placed her in the backseat of his car. Deputies said Evans drove her to a nearby apartment complex where she was sexually battered inside his vehicle. Deputies said Evans later drove the woman back near the location where he stopped her car and let her. The woman reported the rape to the sheriff's office. Around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 10, Evans was located driving the same Chevrolet Malibu identified by the woman on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Wesley Chapel. After realizing he was being followed, Evans let his car and fled on foot into a wooded area where he was arrested by deputies. Evans is currently being held in the Pasco County Jail. "It's extremely upsetting and concerning to think that someone was taking advantage of the trust our citizens have in law enforcement by pretending to be a law enforcement officer," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Sexually battering a victim in the process heightened our urgency to find and arrest this suspect as quickly as possible. We need to find anyone who may have seen this vehicle or been stopped by this suspect. Please, don't be afraid to come forward if you've been victimized." Evans' vehicle is a blue 2016 Chevrolet Malibu with Missouri tag XD7X5J. Anyone who believes they may have been stopped by Evans is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.