Protip: If you are going to go around pretending to be a police officer, don’t pull over a car being driven by an actual police officer. That’s the lesson a man in Florida learned the hard way this week.
A man in Thonotosassa, Florida, was arrested on June 24 by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for impersonating a police officer after he tried to pull over an undercover vehicle for a traffic stop.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a black Chevrolet Suburban activated red and blue emergency lights while following an undercover Sheriff’s Office vehicle on U.S. Highway 301 North.
It didn’t take long after that for deputies to intervene and conduct their own traffic stop on the Suburban. Officers found a pistol, an additional two-foot emergency light bar, and an illegal emergency light setup during their investigation.
Police charged the man with false personation, unlawful use of blue light, and possession of firearm during commission of a felony.
“When someone falsely presents themselves as law enforcement, they threaten the trust that exists between deputies and the community we serve,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.”This individual’s actions were dangerous, deliberate, and illegal. We will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to impersonate a deputy and use that deception to intimidate or endanger others.”
Another similar incident occurred earlier this month in Maryland
On June 15, authorities claim that a Maryland man attempted to pull over a Montgomery County police officer operating an unmarked car in downtown Silver Spring, leading to charges of impersonating a police officer. A Montgomery County officer assigned to the 2nd District Special Assignment Team was on a proactive enforcement detail in an unmarked police cruiser when the incident happened at approximately 12:15 a.m.
Investigators reported that the suspect was operating a Ford Taurus when he came up behind the cruiser, activated the red and blue emergency lights, and initiated a traffic stop. The suspect allegedly got out of his car while wearing a holster. When the real police officer activated the cruiser’s emergency equipment, he went back to his car.
The suspect presented himself as an active-duty deputy sheriff with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and a retired cop with the Metropolitan Police Department. He also claimed to be working security at a neighboring restaurant.
He did not present any police enforcement credentials, according to the authorities, but he was carrying a weapon and had a valid concealed carry permit. The police charged him with impersonating a police officer and illegally using red and blue emergency lights on his vehicle.
Police encouraged any other potential victims who may have been stopped by the suspect while he was purportedly posing as a law enforcement officer to come forward.