Pair posing as police accused of kidnapping

Two Porterville men accused of posing as police and attempting to kidnap another man by force were arrested Thursday.

The suspects, identified as 57-year-old William Morton and 31-year-old Christopher Morton, were booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s Porterville substation on suspicion of kidnapping and several other charges.

The incident happened in the 900 block of North Main Street. The sheriff’s department reports that the suspects physically assaulted the victim and attempted to handcuff him posing as police officers. One of the suspects allegedly brandished a gun during the incident.

The sheriff’s department reports that the victim was able to free himself and flee.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene, they detained the two men for investigation.

Both were ultimately arrested on additional charges of conspiracy, impersonating a police officer and brandishing a firearm.

The case is under investigation by the sheriff’s department.