Man Accused of Impersonating Police to Pressure Coffee Shop Employee for $780

Deer Park authorities investigate a 20-year-old suspect who allegedly posed as an officer to coerce a barista into transferring money.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled Cash App receipt, the details obscured by dramatic shadows and highlights, conceptually representing the unsettling impact of a financial fraud scheme on a local business.A recent wave of targeted financial scams exposes the vulnerability of small businesses to sophisticated impersonation tactics.Deer Park Today

Kaden Berriman, 20, is accused of impersonating a Deer Park police officer and pressuring a coffee shop employee to send him $780 through a cash transfer app. The incident left the teenage barista shaken, and investigators believe there may be additional victims. Authorities tracked the payment to Berriman's Cash App account, which included a profile photo of someone in a police uniform.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing threat of phone scams and impersonation schemes targeting local businesses. The suspect's proximity to the coffee shop and use of realistic-sounding tactics, including a fake police uniform photo, underscore how these crimes can impact community trust and safety, especially for small businesses and young employees.

The details

According to court records, on December 18, 2025, a teenage barista at Sycamore Grounds Coffee in Deer Park received a call from someone claiming to be a Deer Park police officer. The caller said there was an ongoing investigation involving the business, its owner Jackie Springer, and employees. The suspect told the worker the owner had reported customers using counterfeit money and said he needed to verify information, including whether employees were being paid. When the employee questioned the caller's identity and asked to meet in person, the suspect allegedly threatened him with arrest for interfering in an investigation. Fearing arrest, the employee transferred $780 to the suspect's Cash App account, which records show was linked to Kaden Berriman of Clear Lake.

  • On December 18, 2025, the coffee shop employee received the call from the suspect.
  • Deer Park police later tracked the $780 payment through the Cash App account.

The players

Kaden Berriman

A 20-year-old man from Clear Lake, Texas, who is accused of impersonating a Deer Park police officer and pressuring a coffee shop employee to send him $780 through a cash transfer app.

Jackie Springer

The owner of Sycamore Grounds Coffee in Deer Park, Texas, whose business was targeted by the suspect's alleged impersonation scheme.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It really bothered him... he was very scared.”

— Jackie Springer, Coffee shop owner

“Sometimes you think all the fraud comes from someone far away.”

— Jackie Springer, Coffee shop owner

What’s next

Deer Park police confirm the investigation remains active, and they are 'chasing other leads' and conducting additional follow-ups to identify potential additional victims.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of phone scams and impersonation schemes targeting local businesses, especially those with young or inexperienced employees. It underscores the need for small businesses to educate staff on how to identify and respond to suspicious calls demanding money or personal information.