Local bail bondsman arrested on multiple charges

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Local bail bondsman, James Bertrand, was arrested late Wednesday night on two counts of false imprisonment, false personation and criminal trespassing.
Bertrand’s charge of false imprisonment (armed) stems from an incident that occurred on Monday, September 24th, in Turkey Creek. Bertrand, who is also a private investigator and bounty hunter, has been accused of refusing to allow two Turkey Creek residents to leave their home.
In a police report from the Turkey Creek Police Department, one of the residents said while Bertrand was in her home, “he was wearing a belt that had a gun, taser and other items.” For that reason, Bertrand was charged with false imprisonment, (armed).
Bertrand’s charge of false personation, according to the Turkey Creek Police Department, is the result of and incident that also occurred on September 24th, where Bertrand allegedly went to Miss Sue’s Restaurant in Turkey Creek. While there, the police report states Bertrand approached a worker, “showing her a badge, but only for a brief moment.”
According to the report, the worker told police, “Bertrand advised her that he was with the FBI and was investigating the Town of Turkey Creek.” Turkey Creek Officer, Rodney Lofton, also stated he has “been advised by several people that they have seen Bertrand’s vehicle speeding around town, while using blue emergency lights that he has on his dash.”
Another incident where Bertrand may have falsely impersonated a public officer, occurred during an incident on Thursday, October 11th, which was detailed in an arrest warrant for Ricky Gatte as well as in the police report on Bertrand. In the warrant it alleges Bertrand requested that Gatte go to the Cedar Lane residence where Gatte was not allowed.
The warrant stated Gatte told the responding officer he had informed Bertrand that he was not allowed at that residence, in which Bertrand replied, “Just come over here. They can’t arrest you if I’m here. I’m the police.”
“I feel this was a false arrest,” Bertrand said after being released from jail on a $25,000 bond. “I will be taking legal action against the Village of Turkey Creek.”