A fake cop is creating some real fears on Long Island. Police are trying to find a man who they say flashed a phony badge to at least two drivers this weekend. It’s a patterns that seems to be growing as of late and has many concerned.
Nassau County police say a man wears a phony badge and claims to be an undercover county officer driving an unmarked vehicle – a white Mitsubishi Gallant – and is pulling over innocent drivers demanding license and registration.
“That’s really scary and it shakes the faith of a lot of people around here,” said Baldwin resident Amy Hardaway who noticed the fracas on her street corner, unaware that a fake cop in a so-called unmarked car had boxed in a Toyota – actually slamming into the driver’s side – barking out orders and becoming agitated. The 45-year-old victim driver managed to run across the street to the fire house where volunteers helped call 9-1-1.
Police do not know if the cop impersonator is armed, but just after Baldwin, he pulled over another driver in East Meadow and threatened a 21-year-old driver with a flashlight. The driver was finally able to flee.
Nassau police report that last year there were 26 reports of phony officers. So far this year, fake cop numbers have reached 15. Investigators are disturbed about the growing trend.
“It’s obviously very dangerous, somebody posing as a police officer when they are in fact not,” said Nassau Co. Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone. “Who knows what could happen, You could be abducted, you could be robbed.”
Motives in the past have included robbery, drugs, and power-obsession.
Police say motorists should demand a photo identification of the officer if concerned. If still in doubt, request backup from a uniformed officer or call 9-1-1.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned male, 30 to 40 years old, with a crew cut. He was last seen wearing tan cargo shorts, a white tank top, and a gold, star-shaped badge.
(Source: WCBSTV)
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fyi: if you ever get pulled over and you want to verify that it is a real cop, you can call 911 and give them your location and ask them if it is a real cop. and if you ever get pulled over on a dark street, you can drive (slowly so they dont think you are fleeing) to a well lit area.