Warning to Marin County hikers: Beware of fake ranger

(07-22) 20:24 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Marin County authorities are warning hikers to beware of a man claiming to be a park ranger who in the past month has kicked dogs, taken photos of women with a cell phone and given out false information about dog rules.

The man twice misrepresented himself as a ranger for the Marin County Open Space District, according to county officials. Both incidents happened on a fire road in the Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve between Mill Valley and Corte Madera.

The man - described as white, "very fit" and in his 40s - identified himself as "Dave Stevenson" from "the department," but he is not employed by the district, officials said. He is between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall, has short salt-and-pepper hair and in both incidents was wearing black and silver biking clothing. He had a black mountain bike with him in both incidents.

Marin Open Space rangers always wear uniforms.

The Marin County Parks department is investigating the matter. Anyone with information is asked to call (415) 473-2816.