Man arrested on multiple charges after scam in Menifee

A Hemet man was arrested on Wednesday of suspicion of burglary, grand theft and impersonating a police officer for crimes related to the scam of a Menifee resident last month, police said.

Xavier Aldana, 22, was located by Sheriff's deputies in Moreno Valley and was booked after an investigation determined he was responsible for multiple crimes, according to a news release. Aldana allegedly placed a Kia sedan for sale on the website LETGO and agreed to sell the vehicle to a woman in Menifee. When the suspect arrived at the woman's home May 24 to make the transaction, he identified himself as "David Aldama", a Sheriff's deputy, displaying a semi-automatic firearm and a badge affixed to his belt. He also produced DMV paperwork police said he prepared in advance.

After the woman handed over a cash payment, the suspect asked to borrow the keys to retrieve some property from the vehicle. Instead, he jumped in the car and drove away.

A subsequent investigation identified the suspect as Aldana, but his whereabouts were unknown until he was located on Wednesday. The Kia used in the scam was not owned by Aldana and was impounded as evidence. Additional evidence was recovered from the sedan and at his residence.

Aldana was released on $10,000 bail and has a July 26 court date at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.