KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A 59-year-old man has been arrested after deputies say he impersonated a law enforcement officer during a roadside encounter with a driver in Osceola County.

According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area of Simpson Road just after 7 p.m. on March 5 following reports that a man had been impersonating a police officer.

Investigators say the incident began around 6:30 p.m. when an 18-year-old driver was traveling on Buenaventura Boulevard approaching Osceola Parkway and encountered a Chevy SUV stopped in the roadway blocking traffic. The driver maneuvered around the stopped vehicle and continued on his way.

Authorities say the driver was then followed by the SUV, driven by Carlos Barros-Villahermosa, 59, who activated blue flashing lights from his vehicle and pulled alongside the victim’s car.

As both vehicles continued traveling, the victim rolled down his window and asked to see credentials because he did not believe the vehicle was a legitimate law enforcement patrol unit. Deputies say Barros-Villahermosa displayed a badge while the two vehicles were still in motion.

The victim then pulled into a nearby parking lot, where Barros-Villahermosa approached the vehicle and allegedly identified himself as a police officer. According to deputies, the suspect requested the driver’s license and registration and began arguing with the victim about his driving.

The victim reportedly became suspicious when he noticed the suspect was not displaying a weapon and asked that another officer respond to the scene. Deputies say Barros-Villahermosa then returned to his vehicle — identified as a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer — and quickly left the parking lot.

The victim’s passenger captured photos and video of the suspect and the vehicle, which were later provided to responding deputies.

During the investigation, deputies located and contacted Barros-Villahermosa, who was reportedly wearing a badge and carrying a firearm. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he told deputies he worked as a contract investigator for the Department of Defense and that he was a retired police officer from Puerto Rico.

Deputies placed Barros-Villahermosa under arrest and charged him with impersonating a police officer and false imprisonment.

Authorities also impounded the suspect’s SUV, where investigators discovered lighting devices capable of activating blue emergency lights, along with a console switch that activated an audible siren, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have previously been stopped by Barros-Villahermosa while he identified himself as a police officer to contact the agency.

The investigation remains ongoing.