Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Man Arrested in Charity Candy Sales Case

It was no sweet deal for a Lancaster man who was arrested Friday for allegedly impersonating a police officer and selling candy he claimed would benefit youth groups.

Authorities say he planned to pocket profits from the candy sales himself.

Robert Bates, 19, was arrested as part of a sting operation by the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Station Street Criminal Apprehension Team (SCAT). He was taken into custody after he arranged to accept $10,000 worth of chocolate candy he had ordered while posing as a police officer, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

SCAT members made the delivery and arrested Bates on three counts of grand theft. He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail at the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Authorities said Bates, who claimed he was helping youth groups with fund-raising efforts, had ordered large quantities of chocolate candy and had them delivered to the parking lot of a Lancaster apartment complex.

Bates had previously ordered $3,000 worth of candy from the company and had forged a fictitious name on two delivery receipts, authorities said.

Authorities said he was keeping the profits from the candy sales.

“This person was trying to get more donations by impersonating a police officer,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Gil Arce of the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Authorities would not give the name of the candy company.