A New Jersey man has been arrested and charged after police said he used his wife’s Homeland Security-marked vehicle and posed as a federal officer while responding to a police call. According to the Washington Township Police Department in Gloucester County, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, ju st before 2 p.m., officers were called to Strand Avenue for a property check after a person reported that a home under construction had a front door open. Léelo en español aquí. Police said that when officers arrived on scene, a marked Homeland Security vehicle also arrived at the same time. A man, now identified as Nicholas M. Cabral, of Sewell, Washington Township, exited the Dodge Charger Homeland Security vehicle and identified himself to the responding officers as a Homeland Security officer, according to police. Police said that Cabral then attempted to assist the officers at the scene in clearing the residence while armed, holding a handgun. Although he possessed a valid New Jersey permit to carry, police said a follow-up investigation revealed that Cabral is not employed by Homeland Security, any federal law enforcement agency, or police department. Further investigation revealed that Cabral had been operating a marked Homeland Security Police vehicle belonging to his wife, who is employed by Homeland Security as a police officer and was out of state on a duty assignment. Police said data showed the Homeland Security vehicle was driven with emergency lights activated and also went to the Wendy’s Restaurant while Cabral’s wife was away on assignment. Homeland Security now has possession of the vehicle, according to police. As a result of this incident, a warrant was issued for Cabral, who then turned himself in on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Police said Cabral has been charged with impersonating a police officer and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Cabral was lodged in the Salem County Jail, according to police. The firearm Cabral had was seized following a search. “Impersonating a police officer is an extremely serious offense and presents significant risk. The safety of our Washington Twp. police officers and the public remains our number one priority,” the Washington Township Police Department wrote in a news release. Anyone with additional information or potential impersonation encounters is urged to contact Detective Anthony Aquilino at 856-589-0330 or at [email protected]. ...read more read less