A man wearing a fake badge broke into a woman's hotel room and robbed her at gunpoint in Orlando, Florida, police said.
On August 23, authorities were called to a hotel in the Sunshine State's downtown resort area, Orlando police said in a statement.
The woman told police that an unknown man with a “badge” around his neck barged into her room, claiming to be a police officer. The victim told police that the suspect handcuffed her with what appeared to be a handgun in his waistband and stole her wallet.
The woman's testimony was corroborated by hotel surveillance footage that showed the suspect arriving on the hotel floor and a close-up of the fake badge.
California man tortures girlfriend, kills her with 'humiliating words' tattooed on chest
Michael Darren Jesse Rodriguez was seen on surveillance video in an Orlando hotel. (Orlando Police Department)
Police identified 27-year-old Michael Darren Jesse Rodriguez as the suspect based on surveillance footage.
Authorities said this was not Rodriguez's first stunt, as the 27-year-old had previously committed similar robberies at a Days Inn in Miami Springs and in Lantana, Florida.
The badge Michael Darren Jesse Rodriguez allegedly used to impersonate a police officer. (Orlando Police Department)
Michael Darren Jesse Rodriguez allegedly used a handgun and handcuffs to rob a woman at an Orlando resort. (Orlando Police Department)
On September 8, 2024, Gwinnett County, Georgia police arrested Rodriguez, who was driving the same vehicle, in connection with the Orlando and Lantana incidents.
Body camera footage shows knife-wielding woman slashing Virginia state trooper before he is shot
Orlando detectives traveled to Georgia to search the suspect's vehicle and recovered a fake police badge, handcuffs, and additional evidence related to both incidents.
Michael Darren Jesse Rodriguez is charged with felony impersonation of a police officer and use of a weapon, false imprisonment with a weapon and robbery with a firearm. (Orlando Police Department)
Orlando police obtained an arrest warrant for Rodriguez, and he was arrested on October 2nd.
Rodriguez was charged with felonious impersonation of a police officer and use of a deadly weapon, false imprisonment with a deadly weapon and robbery with a firearm.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Orlando Police asked other potential victims of Rodriguez to contact law enforcement at 800-423-TIPS (8477).
Fox News Digital has reached out to Orlando Police for comment.
