Arrests warrants have been issued for a 52-year-old Stockton man suspected of impersonating a California Highway Patrol mechanic to steal from motorists, according to CHP.

Ernest Alvarez faces charges of impersonating a member of the CHP and defrauding money, James Smith, spokesman for the Stockton CHP office, stated in a press release on Monday, Feb. 25.

According to Smith, Alvarez allegedly made several stops on Highway 99 and Interstate 5 in the Stockton area to help disabled motorists in early January. During the stops, he allegedly would identify himself as a CHP mechanic who worked with the Freeway Service Patrol.

Alvarez allegedly took approximately $320 from “multiple victims” when he promised to get them parts for a repair but never returned.

During a subsequent investigation, victims identified Alvarez as the fake mechanic, and he was named as a suspect by police on Jan. 21.

However, Smith said investigators waited to file charges with the District Attorney’s Office to see if more victims came forward.

Smith said multiple victims did identify Alvarez as the impersonator and investigators have now filed criminal charges with the county district attorney’s office for review and prosecution.

Alvarez had not been arrested as of Monday, Feb. 25.

Contact Denise Ellen Rizzo at 830-4225 or drizzo@tracypress.com.