Aurora police have charged a 36-year-old man with impersonating a police officer and are asking the public’s help to find out if he has repeated the offense.

Jesus Avilas (CREDIT: Aurora Police Department)

Aurora police announced Monday that they have secured charges through the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office against Jesus E. Avilas, of the 300 block of East New York Street, Aurora, who was taken into custody Thursday, Oct. 20. The arrest warrant was in connection with an Oct. 3 incident in which Avilas allegedly tried to pass himself off as a U.S. Marshal at a gas station in the 1000 block of North Lake Street.

Charging documents say Avilas entered the gas station just after 7 a.m. and requested the clerk to activate one of the pumps. Because the pumps are “pre-pay” only, the clerk hesitated. It was then that Avilas allegedly produced a badge from his wallet and identified himself as a U.S. Marshal, adding that his credit card was in his car.

The clerk activated the pump, Avilas allegedly pumped about $37 worth of gas into his vehicle and drove west on Northpark Avenue. As he was driving away, the clerk made note of the license plate and called police.

Ironically, an Aurora police investigator assigned to the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force spotted a vehicle parked outside of the apartment building where Avilas lived that matched the one used in the commission of the alleged theft. He was taken into custody without incident when he went to get into the vehicle.

While searching his residence, police located a badge similar to the one used in the theft along with several other pieces of police-related paraphernalia and a replica handgun. Investigators believe that Avilas may have attempted similar ruses and are asking anyone who may have been victimized or witnessed him impersonating an officer, to contact them.

Anyone with information is urged to call Aurora Police Investigations at 630-256-5500.

The charges against Avilas are not proof of guilt. He is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Aurora Police Department news release