Man in N.J. Charged After Allegedly Using Wife’s Official Vehicle to Pose as a Homeland Security Agent By Janelle Griffith

A New Jersey man was arrested last month on a charge he impersonated a police officer after authorities say he used his wife’s marked Homeland Security vehicle to respond to an emergency call he had placed while she was out of town.

Washington Township police encountered the suspect, Nicholas Cabral, 32, of Sewell, shortly before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, when an officer responded to perform a property check at a home under construction. A caller had reported that the home’s front door was open, Washington Township police said in a news release. Cabral was later identified as the caller, police allege.

As an officer arrived, he was met by Cabral who was allegedly driving a marked Homeland Security vehicle with its emergency lights on “at a high rate of speed,” according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. The affidavit alleges Cabral was dressed in plain clothes and when prompted, identified himself as an officer with “Homeland.”

According to police, Cabral, wearing a gold badge, allegedly attempted to assist officers in clearing the residence while holding a handgun. Although he had a valid permit to carry, he is not employed by Homeland Security or any federal law enforcement agency or police department, the police department said in its news release.

Cabral had been driving the vehicle while his wife, who is an officer with Homeland Security, was in California on a duty assignment, according to the probable cause affidavit.

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Homeland Security took possession of the vehicle. Additional information retrieved from an automated license plate reader showed her police vehicle had also been to a Wendy’s restaurant while she was away on assignment, police said.

A warrant was issued for Cabral, who turned himself into police and was later released. His firearm was also seized. He faces charges of impersonating a police officer and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He is due in court on Jan. 22, 2026.

When reached by phone for comment for this article, Cabral hung up on a PEOPLE reporter. His attorney did not reply to a request for comment.