Fake FBI Agent Exposed: Mastermind Behind Shocking West Palm Beach Crime Wave

Deputies report that a West Palm Beach man, disguised in a motorcycle helmet and posing as an FBI agent, was involved in an assault and armed robbery before being taken into custody.

By Sheenu Gupta On Dec 24, 2024 Share with new partner:

Deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) responded to a troubling incident on Sunday involving a man accused of multiple crimes. According to reports, the suspect, wearing a motorcycle helmet and pretending to be an FBI agent, allegedly committed assault and armed robbery.

The deputies were called to an apartment complex located near the iThink Financial Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, where they encountered a victim who reported having his phone stolen. The case has drawn attention due to the unusual nature of the suspect’s disguise and his bold impersonation of a federal agent.

According to the arrest report, the victim was approaching the apartment building around 6 p.m. in the dark when a man, later identified as 33-year-old Tyler Vogel, exited the vehicle asking for his ID. He then approached the victim and punched him in the face knocking him to the ground and stealing his phone.

The victims informed deputies that the suspect, identified as Vogel, fled the scene in a white Dodge Ram pickup truck. The truck was distinctive, featuring a blue stripe and the word “FASTENAL” prominently displayed along the side. According to the victims, there was also a large dog inside the vehicle at the time of the attack.

During an ongoing interview around 8 p.m., deputies were dispatched to investigate another crime bearing striking similarities to the earlier incident. This time, a man was robbed at gunpoint by a suspect who matched Vogel’s description at a nearby apartment complex. According to the victim’s sworn testimony, the suspect, wearing a motorcycle helmet, approached him and requested identification. He then falsely claimed to be an FBI agent, brandished a firearm, and stole the victim’s phone from an unattended work vehicle. When the victim tried to flee, fearing for his life, the suspect took advantage of the situation to complete the robbery.

Approximately 30 minutes later, deputies observed Vogel’s highly recognizable vehicle—a white Dodge Ram with a blue stripe and the word “FASTENAL” emblazoned on the side—parked in front of the crime scene. They initiated a traffic stop, but Vogel refused to comply with their commands to place his hands outside the window. As deputies continued issuing commands, Vogel stepped out of the driver’s side door, retrieved the vehicle keys from the ground, and attempted to re-enter the truck.

Before Vogel could close the door, deputies deployed tear gas into the vehicle. Despite this, it took three minutes before Vogel fully complied with commands, exiting the vehicle and surrendering. Just when it seemed the situation was under control, Vogel began resisting orders again, attempting to stand up after deputies instructed him to lie on the ground.

Due to his continued aggression and the fact that a weapon had been used in one of the crimes, deputies deployed a K-9 unit to subdue him. Vogel was ultimately apprehended and transported to jail. The victims have chosen to press charges, and Vogel now faces multiple charges, including armed burglary of a vehicle, petit theft, resisting arrest with violence, and resisting arrest without violence.