Real sheriff arrests impersonating sheriff

SD Sheriff’s Public Information Office

A deputy with the Fallbrook Sheriff's Substation drove by what appeared to be a traffic stop at the intersection of South Mission and Winter Haven Roads in Fallbrook, around 2 a.m., Monday, June 13.

The silver car had emergency strobe lights in the front and back. The deputy also saw a man wearing a black shirt with San Diego County Sheriff's Department patches, a gun belt with a gun in the holster.

The uniformed deputy turned around to assist what he initially thought was a plainclothes deputy. As the deputy approached, the man ran into his car and drove away. The deputy tried to pull over the suspect, but the driver kept going. At some point, the suspect turned off all his lights making it too dangerous for the deputy to follow the suspect.

As the deputy continued to check the area, he came upon a crash scene. Responding deputies pulled the suspect out of the car and quickly extinguished a small brush fire sparked by the crash.

Michael Carmichael (DOB: 05/03/2001) was treated at a hospital and then booked into Vista Detention Facility on charges of impersonating a peace officer, felony evading, possessing a baton and brass knuckles, as well as false imprisonment.

An acquaintance was riding with Carmichael at the time of the incident. The woman had minor aches and pains from the crash and was checked by paramedics at the scene. Detectives spoke to her and determined she had no involvement in Carmichael's impersonation.

The woman, who was initially pulled over by Carmichael, was not hurt.

A search warrant was served at Carmichael's home in Oceanside that afternoon. Deputies found additional items that could be used to impersonate a deputy, police officer or security guard. All the guns seized that day were replicas.