Article and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Private Investigations Force (P.I. Force) opened its new office in Clermont with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce.
With well over 50 years of combined law enforcement experience, PI Force is a newly formed team that provides a wide range of investigative and intelligence services which includes: pre-employment investigations, corporate fraud, theft, surveillance, insurance fraud, criminal case reviews, locating missing persons and property as well as other services.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Josh and Gina Barkan have been in Clermont for many years. They launched P.I. Force with the help of a supportive professional team whom they have known and respected for years. As successful local business entrepreneurs, the Barkans own Pawn USA and other commercial ventures in the Clermont area. They have known Eric Lane and Andy Niederdorpher for many years as respected Clermont Police Department representatives.
Eric Lane is the PI Force Operations Manager and Private Investigator. He is a Lake County resident, born in Eustis and raised in Mount Dora. Lane recently retired from law enforcement with 20 years of experience, 15 years in criminal investigations. He has worked major homicide, robbery, sexual batteries and high-profile fraud cases. While working with Clermont Police Chief Broadway, he has received many hours of advanced training to improve his diverse analytical, criminal, investigative and fraud specialties. Lane was a SWAT member early in his career and once as a hostage negotiator. His career has put him in direct contact with judges, state attorneys, law enforcement agencies and federal agencies. He was honored with the Purple Heart Award in 2005 due to a traumatic accident that almost took his life. Lane is married with a family. He is a member of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators.
Andy Niederdorfer has an extensive professional law enforcement background. He is the Office Manager and Investigative Analyst for PI Force. Originally from Long Island, New York, he spent many years in Hartford, Connecticut where he attended college before working for the West Hartford Police Department. He met the Barkans and Lane while working at the Clermont Police Department where he specialized as a criminal investigation analyst.
Josh Barkan notes, “Bringing P.I. Force to Clermont is something that I had always dreamed of. Now it is a proud reality! We live in a very uncertain life today. It’s difficult to always know who to trust and who may unfairly take advantage of you. We all must carefully protect ourselves!” Eric Lane notes, “We are committed to providing honor, integrity, professionalism, respect and courtesy with very personalized services.”
P.I. Force is located at 481 East Highway 50 in Suite 201, Clermont, on the second floor of the Pittman Jewelers Building. P.I. Force offers complimentary private consultations at its office. Call: 352- 444-7071 or email: info@pi-force.com. Visit: http://pi-force.com and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PIFORCELLC/.
