A New Jersey resident was taken into custody after police discovered he used his wife’s marked Homeland Security vehicle and posed as a federal officer during a routine call.
The Incident
On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, just before 2 p.m., officers from the Washington Township Police Department in Gloucester County responded to a property check on Strand Avenue. The call was triggered when a caller reported that a front door of a home under construction was open.
At the same time a Dodge Charger marked for Homeland Security arrived on the scene. The driver, identified as Nicholas M. Cabral of Sewell, Washington Township, exited the vehicle and introduced himself to the responding officers as a Homeland Security officer.
Cabral then attempted to assist the officers in clearing the residence while armed, holding a handgun. Although he possessed a valid New Jersey permit to carry, the officers noted that he was not a federal law‑enforcement employee.
Investigation Findings
A follow‑up investigation revealed that Cabral was not employed by Homeland Security, any federal law‑enforcement agency, or a police department. Instead, he had been operating a marked Homeland Security police vehicle that belonged to his wife.
Cabral’s wife is a police officer for Homeland Security and was out of state on a duty assignment at the time of the incident. Data logs showed the vehicle’s emergency lights were activated and that it had driven to a Wendy’s Restaurant while the wife was away.
Homeland Security has taken possession of the vehicle following the investigation.
Legal Consequences
A warrant was issued for Cabral after the incident. He voluntarily turned himself in on Thursday, December 11, 2025, and was subsequently lodged in the Salem County Jail.
Police charged him with impersonating a police officer and second‑degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The handgun Cabral was carrying was seized during a search of his premises.
Police Statement and Public Appeal
“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 who has encountered a potential impersonation is urged to contact Detective Anthony Aquilino at 856‑589‑0330 or via email at [email protected].
Key Takeaways
- Nicholas M. Cabral used his wife’s marked Homeland Security vehicle to pose as a federal officer.
- He was armed with a handgun while attempting to assist police at a property check.
- Cabral was not a federal employee; his wife was on assignment, and the vehicle was subsequently seized by Homeland Security.
The case underscores the importance of verifying law‑enforcement credentials and the serious legal ramifications of impersonation and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The Washington Township Police Department remains committed to protecting the safety of its officers and the community.
