WATERFORD (WWJ) - A man allegedly posing as a police officer was pulled over by none other than the man in charge.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says he was driving down M-59 near Telegraph Road this week when he saw what looked suspiciously like a fully decked out police SUV —with an array of lights, push bumpers and and decals.
For a few seconds, he was fooled.
"It had antenna knobs on the top, it had 'police interceptor' on the back, it had grayed out on the side 'dial 911,' you know? It was a police car," the sheriff told WWJ's Christina McDaniel.
While Bouchard thought it could be a Bloomfield Township Police car, a couple of things didn't look quite right: the windows were tinted and cracked, and there was K9 cage and sticker that read 'K-9 stay back.'
"Then I noticed that the decal on the door, the driver's door, said 'emergency response.' And I thought that's really bizarre, because typically an agency, if they mark a car, puts their agency name somewhere on the marking."
After running the vehicle's plate, Bouchard realized he was dealing with a phony cop.
The sheriff called for backup before he pulled the driver over for questioning in Waterford Township.
Bouchard introduced himself as the sheriff before questioning arresting the man, who said he was "helping cops."
The suspect — who allegedly had a loaded, unlicensed handgun and a "very large" bowie knife in his car — is being held in the Oakland County Jail, awaiting charges.
The sheriff says if you every feel unsure during a traffic stop, always trust your gut.
"Go to a well-lit area, a well-populated area and, you know, listen, cooperate," he said. "But you can ask for better identification, ask for a marked unit and a uniformed officer if you don't get those."
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office wants to hear from anyone who may have been pulled over by someone impersonating police. Call 248-858-4950.
