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Cop Impersonator Reported In North Escambia With Fake Traffic Stop, Chase
September 24, 2014
[EXCLUSIVE FIRST ON NORTHESCAMBIA.COM] Authorities are on alert after a police impersonator reportedly attempted multiple times to stop a local man on his way to work during the early morning hours Monday.
The victim told NorthEscambia.com that he turned off Highway 97 onto Nokomis Road about 3:45 a.m. When he stopped at the stop sign at Nokomis Road and Meadows Lane, he said pickup driven by a male was stopped on Meadows Lane even though there is no stop sign from that direction. The pickup driver turned on Nokomis Road and turned around behind the victim.
He said the pickup followed him for several miles, continually flashing his headlights “on my bumper”. At about Jakes Road in Nokomis, FL, the victim said he decided to stop.
“I began to think that maybe I had a flat tire or some other problem,” the victim said Tuesday afternoon. “So I stopped. He jumped out of his truck and told me he was an undercover cop and that he was going to write me a ticket. He said his blue lights were not working, and began to dig in his wallet for his badge…I knew something was not right, and I took off.”
The victim said he turned on Jakes Road, crossed the state line into Alabama and continued to Highway 31 and called 911.
“He caught up with me on Highway 31 and tried to pass me. I would not let him, but he eventually got around me and blocked Highway 31 with his vehicle twice,” the victim said. Eventually, the police impersonator continued east on Highway 31 toward Atmore.
The victim described the suspect as a white male of average height and build with a full black or dark-colored beard. He was driving a newer model, four-door Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck that was copper in color. The vehicle had an unknown Alabama license plate.
“He acted real funny, not like he had done anything like that before,” the victim told NorthEscambia.com. “I think he was on something…high. He never showed a gun or acted like he had one, and it was like he did not know what to do next if he was going to rob me.”
NorthEscambia.com confirmed Tuesday afternoon that when the victim dialed 911, he reached a cell phone tower that delivered his call to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. The call was transferred by a Baldwin County dispatcher to the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office in Brewton because the victim was in Escambia County, AL, at that time.
Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said his dispatchers received the call from Baldwin County at about 4:00 a.m. Monday, with the victim relaying the information about the alleged fake traffic stop and Alabama chase.
“We dispatched a deputy to Nokomis, but he was unable to find anything when he arrived,” Lambert said.
As on Tuesday afternoon, the victim had not filed a formal complaint with the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office in regards to the original stop and events in Florida, according to Sena Maddison, public information officer.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured top: The intersection of Nokomis Road and Jacks Road. Pictured top inset: Jack’s Road. Pictured bottom inset: Nokomis Road and Meadows Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
16 Responses to “Cop Impersonator Reported In North Escambia With Fake Traffic Stop, Chase”
A few years ago I was travelling on I-35 in central Oklahoma at night and a car got behind me and turned on blue police lights, it was dark and isolated and he/she clearly wanted me to pull over. Luckily I noticed the front tag(plate) was a Kansas tag so I floored it and got off at the next exit. I probably wouldn’t be writing this had I pulled over.
People are losing their minds. I would never pull over for this. I will call the ECSO first to see if it is legit. Let some idiot get up behind me and try to pull me over just because. They will wish they had never encountered me.
I agree with u never know..
I have several friends that are LEO and we talk on a regular basis. We’ve discussed several times the need for marked and unmarked vehicles. Unfortunately we’ve all agreed that there are too many on the roads. Nobody, including myself or my family is NEVER going to pull over for an unmarked car. The city where we currently live has unmarked pick-ups, SUV’s and cars. Hidden lights in windows, mirrors, grills and around tags. Those are easy for any individual to obtain and install. We all understand the days of Andy Griffith are long gone, but it wouldn’t hurt law enforcement agencies to apply a little common sense. People are more willing to share information when you approach them in a friendly manner. Such as the days when cops would walk from door to door at local businesses. Now days most just ride around in unmarked cars with windows blacker than coal. They never stop and talk or try to make contact with anybody. It’s amazing what they could find out just by being involved and friendly with the local citizens. It makes MOST local citizens feel intimidated with all the Secret Service style vehicles and gear. Fox News and CNN had articles on this recently. Even my LEO friends have said they miss the days of being a NORMAL cop. Now they are trained more like military and are to trust NO ONE. Sad days. So….no I’m not stopping for anything that does not clearly have a paint job identifying the vehicle as a marked patrol man. And yes…..I would win in court if I fail to stop. It has already been proven. The reward in $$$$$ goes up even more if the unmarked car decides to pull a weapon and harass you for not stopping. Maybe once the local municipalities go broke from court cases they’ll quit approving for police departments to obtain so many Secret Service style vehicles. No unmarked car should be able to make a traffic stop, only to be used for undercover situations. They should always call for a marked car to make the stop. Just my two cents….including a few cents from some LEO buddies.
Pulling me over would be his last act on this earth. He will get aired out!
I keep cans of wasp spray handy in several places (including my vehicle) for emergencies such as this.
This is why I tell people that if they are not going to carry a Firearm, to at least carry some good Pepper Spray like Mean Green. If not a bullet, a face full of good old Pepper Spray would have put a halt to his actions. When he was not able to show a badge and ID right away…he would have been sprayed!
I realize that some people want to live like it was 20 years ago, but it’s not! There are Thugs that are trying to get what you have worked for, and at all hours of the day. If you are not prepared, then they will get it!
Based on the description of the truck, it shouldn’t be too hard to find. Maybe somebody will turn in this jerk.
Cant you call 911 to verify that a cop is pulling you over before you stop if you are unsure?
This is scary! Right at our back door!
CCW, get your permit. its needed more these days than ever before.
“He never showed a gun or acted like he had one, and it was like he did not know what to do next if he was going to rob me.” Ha ha…..well if he is going to try and block the road in front of me..He had better arm himself.
Florida has laws that take into account these situations. We as law enforcement understand the need to be safe when stopped. As long as you indicate to the officer that you intend to stop at a better location, there is no problem. Slow down, turn on a blinker, etc. and then stop at the first safe place. You can always call 911 when you think it is not a legitimate officer.
I was on a 4 lane highway in Texas awhile back pulling a trailer. Late at night…dark when flashing lights came up behind me. I turned my hazard lights on, slowed down, pulled over to the shoulder but kept moving in an attempt to catch up with the other vehicle I was traveling with. This patrol car pulled along side me and motioned for me to stop and got pretty aggressive. By then the car I was following had pulled over so I stopped .Mr. Hot Shot patrolman told me I had just about had a gun pulled on me when I refused to pull over as fast as he thought I should. I told him wasn’t going to pull over until another car or some lighting was around. I still wish I had of turned him in for me such a obnoxious jerk.
i wish he would try that with me….he would get met with a 45 in his face…..
My tires will have to fall of before I will stop on a country rd at 3:00am. Also, if anyone out there knows what a driver behind us flashing his lights is supposed to mean I’ sure like to know. At that time of the day I’m not stopping until I’m at a well lit place like Tom Thumb.