ST. JOHNSBURY — Police are reporting another incident of a man impersonating a police officer and conducting a false traffic stop in St. Johnsbury, this time taking place on Thursday at around 10:30 p.m.
Police say a woman called after being pulled over by a man dressed in dark clothing. She told police that there were no blue lights activated during the stop, and that the vehicle, described as a dark colored Buick sedan, turned on a red strobe light as well as a bright white light to initiate the stop.
Police say the man approached her vehicle with a hat pulled down over his face.
The woman told police that the man said she had a taillight out and asked her to roll down her window. He never identified himself as law enforcement or a member of the armed services. She told police she did not believe that his vehicle had a rear license plate.
The suspect is described as approximately 6 foot tall with a medium build.
If you have any information regarding this vehicle or the man operating the vehicle, contact the State Police Barracks in Saint Johnsbury at 802-748-3111, or Northeast Kingdom Crime Stoppers at 802-748-2222.
A similar incident happened on Christmas Day in St. Johnsbury, but police have not said if the incidents are related.
Police are reminding the public that if you are being pulled over by a vehicle failing to show emergency blue lights or clear strobes, that you suspect is not a law enforcement vehicle, to dial 911 and confirm with dispatch that an actual member of law enforcement is attempting to pull you over, and/or drive to the nearest police department in a safe manner for further assistance.
Who would stop for a random car without blue lights especially in ST Johnsbury? One would think that since all the cars are clearly marked both State and Town vehicles, one would not be moved by a random vehicle and to boot this was late at night? Yes, drive to the main Police station carefully if possible.
You shouldn’t judge her. She thought at the time by seeing the flashing red light, & then an intense bright white light, that it was someone with some authority. My question is. & for others to think about, did she roll her window down all of the way? ? How did she get away safely? Did he take off because she was on to him? Because how did she know he ( possibly ) didn’t have a rear license plate? ??
My questions is, what are these people doing after they realize it wasn’t a legit stop? Just letting the impersonator drive off into the night? How hard would it be to at least follow the person so you can gather actually information that might help, idiots.
It would be a safety issue to follow the impersonator! Just driving to the nearest Police Station would be a good idea.
Absolutely! !!
Agree.