Man Dresses as Cop to Rip Off Lutz Walmart, 'Impress' a Woman

A man is behind bars after authorities say he walked into a Lutz Walmart wearing a tactical vest labeled "Police" then tried to make off with $200 headphones.

According to a Pasco County arrest report, John Vazquez, 26, of Wesley Chapel was first observed "passed out" in the Lutz Walmart restroom wearing the vest on Monday, Feb. 4.

A loss prevention officer saw Vazquez re-enter the store at 1575 Land O' Lakes Blvd. at about 5:15 p.m., wearing the vest and a black leather gun belt.

The officer followed Vazquez and saw him rip a $200 headphone set off a locked display case, the report stated.

Vazquez then grabbed a pair of Sony earbuds, walked to the front of the store, bagged the items without paying and headed toward the exit before he was stopped by employees of the store who work in loss prevention, according to the report.

When questioned by the loss prevention officer, Vazquez first said he was a law enforcement officer, accoridng to the report. He later said the vest and gun belt belonged to his father and he was using them to impress a woman, the report stated.

Vazquez is charged with impersonating an officer and retail theft. He remained in the Land O' Lakes jail on Tuesday in lieu of $5,150 bond.