Three men sentenced for impersonating police in Fresno home invasion

Three men who dressed like police and stormed a northeast Fresno apartment near Fresno State were each sent to state prison for eight years on Friday, ending a case that turned a fake-officer home invasion into a shooting and campus chase. Amicho Mancia, Antwoine Mancia and Aaron Guery were sentenced at the Fresno County Courthouse under a stipulated agreement that gave each man the same term despite different criminal histories and different roles in the crime.

The case began on Jan. 26, 2025, at the Maplewood Condominiums near North Backer Avenue and East Shaw Avenue, south of Fresno State and close to Highway 168. The victim called police after armed men claimed to be officers at the door, and security video showed one suspect with a shotgun. The men forced their way inside, stole a large safe and loaded it into an SUV before trying to flee.

That escape turned violent almost immediately. Amicho Mancia drove toward an officer, ignored commands to stop and was shot during the getaway, while officers used patrol vehicles to stop the suspect car on Fresno State’s campus. Amicho was wearing a bulletproof vest and was later treated at the hospital, Antwoine Mancia was taken into custody without incident, Aaron Guery was arrested three days later, and the two responding officers suffered minor injuries.

Judge Hamilton told the defendants they deserved more prison time than the eight years required by the deal. Officer Rose, whose patrol car was hit during the pursuit, read an impact statement about the crash, including a planned adoption that was delayed while she recovered. California Penal Code section 538d separately makes fraudulent impersonation of a law enforcement officer a misdemeanor.

The safest response to anyone claiming to be police is to keep the door closed, ask for a name and badge number, and call 911 or the agency’s non-emergency line to verify the person and the reason for the visit. Legitimate officers will wait while credentials are checked, and you should demand identification before granting access.