Women report police impersonations
Published 5:22 pm Monday, November 24, 2008
By By Maryclaire Foster
Authorities are investigating reports that an unidentified male has been impersonating a police officer in Baldwin County.
There have been two incidents reported, one to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and one to the State Troopers Office.
Major Anthony Lowery of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office said an incident was first reported around 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
Lowery said a light-colored sports car, possibly a Dodge Charger, used a revolving blue light to pull over a woman on Hwy. 31.
The woman said the man was not in uniform and carried only a flashlight, causing her alarm. The suspect asked the woman to exit the vehicle and became agitated upon her refusal and would not tell her why he pulled her over.
The woman asked the man to follow her to a safer, well-lit area and agreed to do so, but did not continue to follow her when she pulled onto the road.
The suspect is described as a middle-aged, clean-cut, white male.
Cpl. Joe Piggott of the Mobile State Troopers Office said a similar incident was reported to them Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
A woman was pulled over on Interstate 59 south of Bay Minette by a beige or tan Mercury Grand Marquis with blue lights in the grill.
A white male, in his 40s, with a ruddy complexion and brownish-blonde hair, gave the woman a verbal warning for speeding and sent her on her way.
The man was wearing a flannel shirt and blue jeans.
The same woman called back later that afternoon to report she had seen the vehicle again, but officers were unable to locate it.
As of now, Piggott said the incidents are not thought to be connected.
Lowery stressed the importance of always taking caution when being pulled over by an unidentified police car.
Piggott also stated that an officer will be dressed in uniform and a car will have multiple lights all over it.
If you have concerns about the legitimacy of the vehicle pulling you over, you can call 911 or *47, to confirm whether they are a police officer.
Piggott added that if you do see a suspicious vehicle, to get as much information as possible, such as car make and model, color, and if possible, a description of the suspicious person.
If you have any information regarding a similar situation please call the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office at 251-937-0202 or the State Troopers office at 251-660-2300.