Fake HPD officer charged for allegedly sexually assaulting woman on church grounds, authorities say

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Monday, July 26, 2021
Woman says fake officer sexually assaulted her in church parking lot
Authorities say Martin Hernandez has been arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in the parking lot of Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church near downtown Houston.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston woman said she thought she would be shot after someone who she believed was a police officer reportedly took advantage of her in a church parking lot just west of downtown Houston.

According to the victim, a man disguised as an officer from the Houston Police Department pulled her over in a fake patrol unit before he reportedly forced her into the backseat and sexually assaulted her.

The incident reportedly happened when the woman, who was leaving the bar, pulled over into the Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church parking lot on West Gray, court documents show.

SEE ALSO: Woman drives off from armed man who impersonated a deputy, Waller Co. Sheriff's Office says

Deputies said someone in an unmarked sedan with emergency lights pulled a gun on a woman over the weekend.

That's when she said a man dressed as an HPD officer approached her car and began accusing her of being too drunk to drive.

The victim said the imposter demanded her to get into his backseat and began sexually assaulting her.

Sometime after the incident was over, the victim said she returned to the church's parking lot where she was informed that the man was just a security guard.

SEE ALSO: Man accused of impersonating officer and kidnapping woman in SW Houston

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Investigators said that security guard was identified as Martin Hernandez. According to authorities, Hernandez's DNA matched a swab taken from the victim.

Hernandez has since been arrested and charged for impersonating an officer and sexual assault.

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