Robert Rosado, 54, was arrested for allegedly impersonating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a robbery in Northeast Philadelphia on June 8, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced Monday.
Rosado was arrested last week in connection with the robbery of an automobile shop in Mayfair, where he was said to have zip-tied a woman, according to the DA’s office.
The 54-year-old was charged with robbery, weapons charges, terroristic threats, impersonating a public servant, and a number of other offenses.
Allegedly impersonating an ICE agent
Rosado allegedly entered the shop and claimed he "was going to take undocumented employees into custody," the DA's office said.
Surveillance footage is alleged to depict Rosado dressed in a tactical vest reading “Security Enforcement Agent” with a black radio, a badge, and a holstered gun.
After zip-tying a woman, he is said to have taken $1,000 and fled the scene in an unmarked white van.
“The policies coming from the current administration in Washington, DC, are making it easier for US citizens to commit crimes against marginalized people, such as immigrants,” District Attorney Krasner said. “I consider this case to be more serious than just a robbery. This is a crime against an entire community of people. My office will prosecute this case vigorously, and we intend to seek a higher sentence for this defendant due to the nature of his crimes. Thank you to the Philadelphia Police Department and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force for their thorough investigation of this incident.”
“I want to thank Philadelphia Police Detective Michael Zanetich and Officer Daniel Butler for their excellent work on this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Joe Lanuti, Assistant Supervisor of the Gun Violence Task Force. “As with all cases that are prosecuted by the GVTF, we fully intend to hold this defendant accountable for his crimes and to seek justice for the victims and larger community who were impacted by this defendant’s actions."
Rosado is being held on $800,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled on July 8.