WASHINGTON — Police in Anne Arundel County are warning residents about a police impersonator in the area who pulled a driver over Saturday.
A woman told police she was stopped by what she thought was an officer in a police-style white Ford Crown Victoria with flashing blue and red dome lights on the roof around 1 a.m. on the Fourth of July. The vehicle had a “police” decal on the door, too.
The suspect identified himself as an Anne Arundel County police officer asked for the woman’s license, claiming he pulled her over because of driving under the influence suspicion. He then made her perform a field sobriety test, police say.
When the victim tried to use a cellphone, the suspect said she was free to go. He then got back in his car and sped off onto northbound Route 97, police say.
The victim said the suspect’s demeanor was “intimidating and threatening” during the traffic stop.
The suspect is described as a white man, about 6 feet tall with a medium build. He has brown hair and a mustache. During the incident, he wore a navy blue uniform shirt and pants, a silver badge with “Williams” inscribed on it and had a patch that said “police” on his shoulder.
The suspect was not wearing a duty belt, firearm or radio, but he was holding handcuffs in his hand.
Anne Arundel County police offer these reminders to residents when it comes to identifying impersonators:
- Officers are trained to identify themselves and provide identification when conducting traffic stops in unmarked vehicles.
- They say that if you feel that the person is not a police, you should call 911 and ask dispatchers to verify the officer’s identity.
- Police say you can ask to see all the officer’s credentials.
- You can request a supervisor to either call you or come to your location.
Read more tips on the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Facebook page.
Anyone with information about the police impersonator or his whereabouts should call the police at 410-222-4700.
