“Fake Police” at the murder scene was arrested after real police asked him to ask for his qualification
A South Carolina man was arrested after imitating police officers at the crime scene and got caught in kerfuffle with the real man.
On May 12, Julio Santos-Hernandez visited the scene where Tra'sean White, 18, shot dead in Hanahan, about 30 minutes northwest of Charleston, South Carolina, according to officials.
Court documents obtained by WCSC said Hernandez was on the scene as a police officer off duty officer.
According to the report, he even assisted the authorities in arresting someone. It is not clear why Hernandez was on the scene first.
Julio Santos-Hernandez of South Carolina arrested for imitating law enforcement officers at the crime scene (Berkeley County Jail)
Hernandez claimed he owned his certificate and gun, but when police asked for a certificate, he said he left them at home.
Police said he said he would retrieve his certificate, but never.
At one point during the incident, a sergeant asked Hernandez to leave the scene, but he simply went to another officer and continued to claim that he was a policeman who was off duty. He also told investigators that he was a “deputy” when he was on the phone with them.
Hernandez was later arrested for pretending to be a law enforcement officer.
Hernandez maintained his innocence in a statement to the WCSC: “As former law enforcement officers, who have nearly 11 years of dedicated service, I am persistent in aiming to clear my name and protect the integrity of my reputation and meticulously establish public services for more than a decade.”
“I thank my colleagues, friends and family for the ongoing support during this challenging time,” he continued. “Our shared commitment to truth and justice prompted me to see this to a fair and impartial conclusion. Thank you for your understanding and support in this personal and professional trial.”
Hernandez does have a working history with several South Carolina law enforcement agencies, according to records obtained by the state Criminal Justice College obtained by the WCSC.
He voluntarily resigned in October 2024 during his latest appointment with the Charleston County Aviation Bureau.
In 2016, Hernandez was fired by the Rock Hill Police Department for a policy violation, but there was no misconduct involved.
