There are now three reports of a fake cop pulling people over, with two incidents in Louisiana and one in Mississippi. Authorities say a white male in his 40s, driving a black Dodge Charger, is impersonating a police officer and pulling over women drivers.
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One incident occurred over the weekend near the Bonnet Carre Spillway. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Captain Donnie Smith says the woman was pulled over by a black Charger with flashing blue and red lights.
"An older model black Dodge Charger conducted a traffic stop on her, approached her vehicle, told her that he smelled marijuana, the smell of marijuana coming from her vehicle, asked her to step out," said Smith.
Smith says after demanding she exit the vehicle, he took her to the rear of the car.
"He proceeded to check her vehicle for contraband started bringing her to the back of the vehicle, told her he needed to conduct a pat-down search on her," said Smith, "According to her, he was a little aggressive with his search."
Smith said when the woman began expressing concern that the man was not an officer, the suspect got in his vehicle and fled.
The man was described as medium build, with a generic looking badge and a Chinese symbol tattooed on the back of his neck. Smith says the suspect allegedly put a lot of effort into looking legitimate.
"He had a duty belt on and a gun belt. He had a Taser, but it wasn’t the normal police Taser. She said it was more of the old box style Taser, with a yellow and green cord almost like an honor guard cord," said Smith.
Incidents have been reported in St. Charles Parish, East Feliciana Parish, and Wilkinson County, Mississippi, which is just north of East Feliciana.
East Feliciana Chief Criminal Deputy Greg Phares says if you get pulled over, but are concerned it’s not a real officer, it is legal to calmly make your way to a public space before interacting. He also noted police are trained to respond to citizens who slow down, move into the right lane, and throw their emergency lights on. Once you enter the well-lit public space, you can interact with the officer.
Phares also advises you call 911 and have a dispatcher confirm whether or not the car is an officer.