Police say fake cop targeted Hispanics in string of robberies

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A robbery suspect who police say targeted Hispanics pretended to be a cop until the real police caught up with him.

Houston police say Alvaro Javier Hidalgo, 42, pretended to be a police officer while robbing nine people along the North Freeway and the North Loop.

In each case detectives say Hidalgo flashed a badge, pointed a gun at the victims and took money, cell phones and even a pickup truck.

Police say one of the crimes happened at a Texaco Station on the North Freeway on September 19.

HPD Officer Alejandro Carmona said, "They robbed him, they took his property, they took his wallet, telephone, at one point the suspect hits him with a weapon to the victim's face."

A week later, police say Hidalgo robbed another victim at a Katz Boutique just up the feeder road.

Carmona said, "The suspect approached him, brandished the weapon and stole his vehicle which was a red pickup truck."

In October, police say Hidalgo was at this gas station on the north loop once again flashing a badge, pointing a gun and robbing people.

HPD Officer Carol Calabro said, "The victim was gassing up his vehicle, the suspect came up to him, flashed a badge, identified himself as a police officer, forced himself into the car and the same details, he robbed him."

Police say in one robbery a witness found a credit card allegedly dropped by Hidalgo, and detectives were able to track him to a nearby motel. It is believed that Hidalgo may have had someone working with him.

If you know anything about these robberies, you are urged to call HPD.