Snellville man Hamza Ahmed arrested for extortion and impersonating a police officer

Snellville officials arrested a man they say impersonated an officer and attempted to extort money.

Police said Hamza Ahmed, 29, identified himself as Snellville Detective O'neal and demanded cash as part of his investigation.

Ji Chen is the manager at Rice Box on Scenic Highway and told reporters that Ahmed came into the food spot looking for one of his employees, and then contacted him over the phone to tell him he was conducting a narcotics investigation.

"Trying to use fear, telling me he has been watching him, but does not know where his sources come from," said Ji Chen.

Chen said Ahmed was pretty believable until he started texting him and asked for something.

"I get text message from him, if you come up with $500 we can make the arrest," said Chen.

Chen contacted Snellville Police who set up a sting. Ahmed thought he was meeting Chen to get his cash, but instead was surrounded by police.

Snellville Police say it is extremely conceing when someone impersonates an officer.

"You do not know who you are dealing with," said Capt. Carey Roberts with Snellville Police.  "Someone that would present to be someone that they are not, you just do not know what they are capable of doing."