'Undercover' robbery suspect charged

A Yuma man accused of posing as an undercover police officer to carry out an armed robbery has been charged with seven felonies.

Esteban Duarte, 28, was charged with two felony counts of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of armed robbery and one count of criminal impersonation after he and another man allegedly robbed the victims in broad daylight Saturday.

Duarte was arraigned Tuesday before Yuma Justice of the Peace David Cooper, who ordered his bond remain at $18,465.

In addition to appointing the Yuma County Public Defender's Office to represent Duarte, the judge scheduled his next court date — a preliminary hearing — for 4 p.m. Nov. 25.

Although Duarte is now behind bars, Yuma police are still searching for an alleged accomplice described as a male in his 20s to 30s and of medium height and build.

Police say around noon on Saturday, two people were robbed near 8th Street and Avenue A. The victims told police two male suspects, one of whom was allegedly Duarte, blocked their car with a tan late ’90s Ford Crown Victoria and claimed to be undercover officers.  

Shortly after midnight Sunday, the Yuma Police Gang Unit arrested Duarte, who is an admitted member of the Hollywood street gang. He was found hiding at a home in the 500 block of 12th Avenue.

Police credited the victims in helping them find Duarte, saying they remained calm during the commission of the crime and as a result were good witnesses.

YPD encourages anyone with information about the case to call 783-4421, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.