Armed motorcycle cop was actually impersonator with felony convictions, police say

A motorcycle officer who made traffic stops and was carrying a pistol and stun-guns was actually an impersonator with previous felony convictions, Southern California officials said.

On Tuesday, the Hemet Police Department announced it had arrested Marshal Goodnight, a motorcyclist who was wearing a full police uniform, duty belt and a Glock-style pistol.

Goodnight was stopped by real officers after he reportedly was seen activating emergency lights on his white motorcycle emblazoned with the words “Traffic” and “Public Safety,” and committing multiple vehicle code violations.

Officers noted the man’s pistol and opted to detain him for safety reasons. During a search of his person and bike, they recovered two working stun-guns, a telescoping baton and a container of pepper spray.

Not only was the man not a police officer, investigators later determined he was in face a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or other weapons. He is also not licensed to provide any security services through the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, officials said.

Goodnight has since been arrested and booked on a complaint of impersonating a police officer and various weapons violations. Police did not say where in Hemet the arrest took place.

A search of the Riverside County jail system for the suspect’s name yielded no results, although it’s possible he’s being held at the Hemet Police Department.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact Hemet PD Sergeant Chavez at 951-765-2400 ext. 3725.