ROCHESTER (WWJ) - Police are applauding a woman's gut feeling during a suspicious traffic stop by an officer in Oakland County on Monday night -- only authorities said no patrols were in the area at the time.
According to the Rochester Police Department, they were made aware of the suspicious encounter on Dec. 19 when a woman called to verify a police officer that had pulled her over around 8:15 p.m. that same evening.
The woman told police that she was stopped by a dark sedan, similar to a Ford Crown Victoria, with red and blue flashing lights in the area of Tienken and Washington Road.
The sedan did not have any police markings.
The woman said once the car stopped behind her, the person inside shut off the emergency lights, which she noticed came from a horizontal bar formation near the top of the vehicle. The woman was not able to tell if the light bar was on top of the vehicle or inside near the top of the windshield.
She also did not remember seeing a spotlight, police added.
"A white male approached the woman's vehicle and asked her where she was coming from and if she had been drinking," police said in a press release on the incident. "He then took her license and registration and went back to his vehicle. He returned and asked her to exit the vehicle."
"The woman, and lone occupant, stated she did not feel comfortable given the darkness of the location and asked him to call for a second unit or if they could to move to a more well light area," authorities continued. "The male then handed back her license and registration and told her she was free to go."
The entire encounter lasted a total of five minutes.
The woman said the man got back into his car and reserved before taking off southbound towards the roundabout at Tienken.
When the woman called to verify the officer, Rochester police said they confirmed it was not one of their officers, nor was it a cop from a nearby agency.
Police described the male suspect as a white with dirty blonde hair (about 1" height on top with short, buzzed sides) and slightly lighter facial hair with a stubble beard. Police believe he is possibly in his 30s, stand about 5 feet 11 inches, between 200 and 240 pounds. The woman told police the man also had a standard mid-western accent and had normal teeth.
At the time of the traffic stop, he was wearing a dark-blue jacket (similar to a windbreaker) with a dark colored vest type garment under the jacket with lots of pockets near the bottom and dark pants. He also had a belt with various attachments that resembled a police belt, police added.
"She stated she saw what appeared to be a flashlight holder on one of the sides," police said the victim told them. "She was unaware if there was a gun on the belt or not. She stated she did not see a badge, radio, camera, name plate, or patches on any of his clothing."
Rochester Police sent out an alert to other nearby departments to be on the lookout for the suspicious man and vehicle. The incident remains under investigation at this time.
The neighboring Shelby Township Police Department issued a warning to residents Wednesday afternoon to be on the lookout for the suspect.
"We want you to be aware and to know this is what we look like at the Shelby Township Police Department," the department said in a Facebook post with pictures of officers and vehicles. "Our Officers drive fully or partially marked vehicles. The lights are blue and white or red, white and blue. We wear dark blue uniforms and most of our Officers wear exterior vests. On that vest is a badge and nametag with Shelby Township Police on the arm patches."
Anyone with any information has been asked to contact the Rochester Police at (248)651-9621. Police reiterated anyone stopped by someone they think is suspicious or if they are unsure about the situation, should call 911 and allow dispatch to verify it for them.