Northern California man accused of impersonating ICE agent, robbing construction workers

A mugshot of Patrick Mullany, courtesy of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. A mugshot of Patrick Mullany, courtesy of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. Photo: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Photo: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Northern California man accused of impersonating ICE agent, robbing construction workers 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

An El Dorado Hills man identified by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office as Patrick Mullany has been arrested after he allegedly impersonated an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to steal money from construction site workers.

According to a release from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, the suspect visited a construction site in the El Dorado Hills on Monday and reportedly identified himself as an ICE agent. He then apparently handcuffed workers onsite and took money from them, as he said, to pay for "court fees."

The victims say he also threatened to deport them.

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When Mullany left, the workers contacted the Sheriff's Office to report what happened.

After acquiring a search warrant, authorities visited Mullany's home and checked his car. During the course of their inspection, they found two sets of handcuffs, two fake handguns and a substantial amount of cash, the sheriff's office reported.

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It's reportedly not the first time Mullany has attempted this ploy; one of the victims told officers about a similar incident the week before.

Mullany has since been booked into the El Dorado County jail on suspicion of false imprisonment, robbery and impersonating a police officer.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

