An Orlando man, who police say, impersonated a police officer and carried out an armed carjacking on Monday night, has been arrested.
22-year-old Joshua R. Chavarria is believed to have carjacked victim Erik Seegulam, using a handgun just after he got into his car to drive away from the parking lot of Sawgrass Apartments on 2871 south Conway Road.
Seegulam told police, a man, dressed in all black and wearing what appeared to be a bullet proof vest with the words “Sheriff” written on the front, approached him as he entered his car. The man made him get out, placed handcuffs on him and beat him in the back of the head with the hand gun. The man left the area in Seegulam’s Toyota Yaris, but not before grabbing his wallet from his back pocket.
Police believe that suspect Chavarria obtained the black bullet proof tactical vest in a traded drug transaction and from items stolen one month before in a burglary of an Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) Drug Unit vehicle. On September 25, multiple pieces of equipment, including a black bullet proof tactical vest with “Sheriff” written had been stolen.
Seegulam’s stolen vehicle was found one day later, abandoned in the area of 10630 Kain Court, where police say, Chavarria once resided.
On Thursday, Chavarria was arrested on drug charges.
Seegulam was able to positively identify Chavarria from a photo lineup.
An unnamed witness told police she had seen Chavarria wearing something that said “Sheriff” on the front, on the evening of the armed carjacking.
Chavarria has been charged with armed carjacking, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm, impersonating a police officer and battery. He is being held in the Orange County Jail.
