There’s now three reports of a white male in his 40s allegedly impersonating a police officer and pulling over women on Louisiana and Mississippi highways.
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 flashing blue and red lights.
“An older model Dodge black 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 pulling the woman over the man allegedly told her he smelled marijuana in the car and demanded she exit the vehicle, then 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. According to her, he was a little aggressive with his search,” said Smith.
The woman says after she began expressing concern that the man was not an officer, he 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.
East Feliciana Chief Criminal Deputy Greg Phares says if you get pulled over, but are concerned it’s not a real officer, it’s 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 9-1-1 and have a dispatcher confirm whether or not the car is an officer.
