Austin Man Charged with Impersonating DEA Officer After Disturbing Encounter at Vape Shop

Austin Man Charged for Impersonating DEA Officer

AUSTIN, Texas — A former Chicago police officer is now facing serious legal troubles in Travis County after he reportedly impersonated a DEA officer. Dimitri Roberts, 34, is alleged to have committed the offense on September 16 at the Haze and Blaze Vape Shop, located in the 10600 block of RM 2222.

Details of the Incident

According to court documents, the incident began when a victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was approached by Roberts while at the vape shop. Roberts erroneously claimed to be a police officer and demanded to see the victim’s driver’s license. Believing that the victim was underage, Roberts took the license without permission, insisting on knowing whether the address on it was correct. He even threatened the victim with the phrase, “don’t lie to a cop.” After the unsettling encounter, Roberts left the store, driving away in a gray Tesla.

Escalation of Events

The plot thickened the following day when the victim returned home only to see the same gray Tesla pull up. Roberts exited the vehicle, identifying himself as an undercover DEA agent who had been surveilling the victim for the past 24 hours. According to the victim, Roberts subsequently took personal items including the victim’s hat, necklace, and wallet. In a shocking turn of events, he ordered the victim to sit in the back of the Tesla.

The victim complied, mistakenly believing that Roberts was an actual police officer. Roberts even gained access to the victim’s home after the victim’s father allowed him inside, still thinking he was a legitimate officer. Inside the home, Roberts told the father that he would instead assign tasks to the victim instead of making an arrest. He then carelessly tossed the victim’s license and wallet to the father.

Realization and Confrontation

As events unfolded, the father started to feel uneasy. Feeling suspicious, he Googled Roberts’ name and quickly discovered his identity, confirming he was no longer a certified officer. Roberts, sensing the rising suspicion, left the house but not without throwing the father’s phone onto the ground in a fit of anger.

In a troubling climax, Roberts hit the victim in the back of the head with his open hand. He then hinted at getting a search warrant before apologizing and leaving the scene. Fortunately, the family had a doorbell camera that confirmed the physical altercation, providing crucial evidence for the investigation.

Investigation and Charges

Authorities later reviewed the footage from the doorbell camera, which corroborated the victim’s story about the assault. Following a background check, investigators learned that Roberts had previously been an officer with the Chicago Police Department until 2014. However, investigations revealed he was not a current federal agent and lacked proper licensing to act as a peace officer in Texas.

The detectives attempted to contact Roberts on September 18. While he confirmed his presence at the vape shop, he became verbally aggressive during questioning, ultimately refusing to provide additional information.

Legal Repercussions

As a result of his actions, Roberts now faces charges of impersonating a peace officer, classified as a felony, along with a misdemeanor charge for assault causing bodily injury. This case raises important issues about public safety and the trust that citizens place in law enforcement.

As the legal process unfolds, residents in Austin are reminded to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.