Jerry Gallegos: 6-year jolt for cop impersonator who couldn't start car he tried to steal

On the surface, it seems like a perfect scam. Approach a stopped vehicle, flash a bogus police badge, confiscate the driver's keys and wallet, then hop into the car and drive off. But what happens if the car won't start? For Jerry John Gallegos, the answer to that question is...

By Michael Roberts

November 17, 2010

Audio By Carbonatix

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On the surface, it seems like a perfect scam. Approach a stopped vehicle, flash a bogus police badge, confiscate the driver's keys and wallet, then hop into the car and drive off. But what happens if the car won't start?

For Jerry John Gallegos, the answer to that question is "a six-year jail sentence."

Look below to see a larger photo of Gallegos, plus additional details courtesy of the Denver District Attorney's Office:

Denver District Attorney's Office release:

POLICE IMPERSONATOR SENTENCED TO PRISON

A 42-year-old man who robbed people last spring by pretending to be a police officer was sentenced to prison earlier this week.

Jerry John Gallegos (dob: 07-18-68) pleaded guilty earlier in October to robbery and was sentenced to six years in the Colorado Department of Corrections by Denver District Court Judge Anne Mansfield.

On May 9, 2010, Gallegos stepped in front of a vehicle, flashed a fake badge made of paper, and asked the victim for identification. He then stole the victim's wallet and car. Gallegos was involved in a similar incident on May 17, 2010, in which he approached a stopped vehicle while dressed in blue, pretending to talk on a police radio. He took the victim's wallet and car keys but couldn't get the car to start. The incidents occurred respectively at 3rd Avenue at Quitman Street and Colfax Avenue at Lowell Boulevard.

Gallegos was remanded immediately to begin serving his six year sentence.

Gallegos' accomplice, Angel Juarez, also pleaded guilty to robbery in October; he is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2010.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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