Deputies arrest man for posing as police officer

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Watsonville man who they say has been posing as a cop in Santa Cruz.

James Heffner, 61, was taken into custody without incident at a coffee shop in Aptos.

According to a police report, Heffner was seen loitering near the Seascape Resort on October 6th. He told an employee he was an undercover officer and showed the employee a police-like badge and three different business cards belonging to three separate deputies.

On Thursday Oct. 19, deputies saw his car parked at the Seascape Village Shopping Center. Deputies located Heffner and found three loaded handguns — one of which was stolen — and a rifle in Heffner’s car. They also recovered a Phoenix Police badge from Heffner’s wallet.

Investigators are working with the Phoenix Police Department to determine how Heffner came into possession of their badge.

Heffner was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for several charges.