Woman learns suspected police impersonator was real police officer
LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – A 46-year-old woman thought she was stopped by a possible police impersonator on Sunday in Lake County.
The mystery was solved on Tuesday when the Indiana State Police learned that that officer that pulled the woman over was with a local police agency.
The woman was pulled over around 6 p.m. by a black SUV with red and blue lights on the dashboard, according to a release from the Indiana State Police. The incident occurred on Interstate 65 southbound north of the 109th Street exit.
A white male, believed to be around the age of 50, with grayish hair and a dark battle dress uniform with no identifying patches approached the woman’s car. Police say he told the woman that her speed was unacceptable.
The release said that woman handed the male her driver’s license and he returned to his SUV for about 30 seconds before driving off. The man never identified himself.
The vehicle used by the man is possibly a newer Ford Explorer, according to the release.
The woman was not able to get plate information from the man’s vehicle.
ISP gave these tips in the release to protect people from police impersonators or people suspected to be police impersonators:
- Stop in a well-lighted and populated area
- Only roll your window down enough so you can communicate (one-two inches)
- Ask for the officer’s identification
- DO NOT get out of your vehicle to go back to his vehicle
- Call 911 and give your location and try to get plate information