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Police release description of impersonator who targeted female driver

Posted at 1:07 AM, Sep 03, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-03 15:41:59-04

UPDATE:  The Powhatan County Sheriff's Office said that on August 31 they received a phone call from a female who said that she had been stopped by a vehicle that she believed to be a police vehicle. It has a blue light on the dash and was using high beams.

She described the driver as a white male, 25-35 years of age, whose height was  approximately 5’10” – 5’11" and he had a thin stature. She said the man had a light beard, along with short light brown hair. He had on  a white polo shirt with a patch on the right sleeve and an emblem on the left front.

She advised that he approached her vehicle and after a short conversation, he instructed her to exit the vehicle.  She was uncomfortable with this and remained in her vehicle, calling 911.

At this time, she was informed that this was not a local law enforcement officer and to remain in her vehicle.

During this 911 call, the suspect returned to the vehicle he was driving, described as a light colored vehicle, unmarked.

He then exited his vehicle a second time and approached her vehicle.  At this time, the victim pulled away from the traffic stop.  The suspect’s vehicle followed for a distance, passed her and continued towards Amelia County, police said.

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- Authorities are warning residents in Chesterfield about a man with a gun driving around pretending to be a police officer.

Neighbors said Chesterfield police normally patrol the busy intersection of Salem Church and Centralia roads.

However, sources told CBS 6 News reporter Jon Burkett that late Saturday night. a man was traveling down Centralia when he was pulled over by what he thought was an officer in an unmarked white Chevy Impala.

But instead of asking for the man's license, the phony officer demanded money and took off, according to the source. The victim was not injured in the attempted robbery.

Sources in Powhatan also reported an incident in the eastern part of their county that same night, but in that incident a gun was not displayed. That source said the department is working with Chesterfield to see if there are similarities.

"In many cases of traffic stops people know they should stop and submit to the authority,” said CBS 6 News crime expert Steve Neal. “However, this particular instance it's egregious and a heinous offense that takes away the trust of police."

Neal said there is nothing wrong with acknowledging the stop and going at a slow pace to a well lit area with more witnesses. He said there are officers out there driving unmarked cruisers, but to keep the following in mind.

“In an overwhelming majority of these cases, the person being stopped for a traffic offense. The officer still should be uniformed and identifiable to the public," said Neal.

If you were traveling through the area around 10 p.m. Saturday and saw anything that could help police, call Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.