An Ohio father is being praised for protecting his family after subduing a man who allegedly tried to enter his home while pretending to be a police officer.
According to WTVG-TV, 33-year-old Parker Jackson approached the Toledo home of Steven Aranda on Saturday and attempted to open the door while claiming he was with the Toledo Police Department and needed to check on the children inside. Aranda’s young daughter confronted the man before alerting her father.
Aranda told WTVG he immediately recognized the claim as false and physically restrained Jackson until officers arrived.
“This guy came to the back alley, came to the front door, and was trying to open the entrance,” Aranda said. “My little daughter said, ‘You don’t belong here,’ and he said he was a Toledo cop.”
Aranda said he then tackled Jackson and held him until police responded.
“I threw him down on the ground… I pinned him down until the cops got here,” he said.
Jackson was taken into custody and booked into the Lucas County Jail. He is charged with aggravated trespassing, inducing panic, and impersonating a police officer. He has pleaded not guilty, and a judge set his bond at $1,500, also ordering him to stay away from the Aranda family.
Aranda said his children were shaken by the incident and urged other parents to remain aware of their surroundings.
“The kids were scared… they haven’t been outside the past few days because you can’t trust anybody anymore,” he said. “Watch out for your kids — where they play and their surroundings.”
