Nicholas Cabral drove his wife's Homeland Security car, pretending to be an officer.

By Sam Barron From Daily Voice

A South Jersey man was arrested and charged after pretending to be a Homeland Security police officer, using his wife's car to pull off the ruse, authorities announced Friday, Dec. 12.

Just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, officers responded to 207 Strand Ave. in Sewell, for a property check after a Nicholas Cabral, reported a home under construction had their front door open, Washington Township police said.

As officers arrived on scene, a marked Homeland Security police vehicle arrived at the same time, police said. Cabral exited the vehicle and identified himself as a Homeland Security police officer  and attempted to assist officers in clearing the residence while armed with a handgun, police said.

Although he possessed a valid New Jersey permit to carry, a follow-up investigation confirmed Cabral was not employed by Homeland Security, any federal law enforcement agency or police department.

Cabral had been operating the vehicle that belonged to his wife, who is employed by Homeland Security and was out of state on assignment, police said. Homeland Security responded and took possession of the vehicle, police said. 

An investigation revealed Cabral drove the police vehicle with emergency lights activated and to Wendy's while his wife was away, police said.

Cabral is charged with impersonating a police officer and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, police said.