By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

HOOVER – Ryan Phebus was arrested March 2 after Hoover Police received four reports of a man presenting himself as a police officer then stealing money from 10 victims.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said Phebus, 29, targeted apartment complexes off Lorna Road. Derzis said Phebus appeared to target Hispanics as his victims.

Phebus approached victims while wearing a shirt or jacket that resembled a police uniform and a badge around his neck. In some of the incidents, Phebus asked some victims for identification, and then took money from their wallets. Others, he robbed victims at gunpoint, according to Derzis.

After Phebus drove away in a white Chevrolet Malibu, victims called the police and reported the robberies.

Phebus was taken into custody on March 4 around 3:40 p.m. He was charged with four counts of first-degree robbery and one count of impersonating a police officer. Phebus is being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

According to Derzis, additional incidents may still be unreported, possibly from Shelby County. Hoover Police are requesting any additional victims come forward. The Crimes Against Persons Unit may be contacted at 739-6730. A Spanish-speaking detective can be reached at 444-7534.