Residents in the northeast Georgia and western North Carolina regions should remain cautious due to reports of a man pretending to be a police officer and carrying out unauthorized traffic stops.
According to ANF, the individual has been halting cars under false pretenses of being a law enforcement officer in Towns County and Union County, Georgia, as well as Cherokee County, North Carolina.
The suspect is driving a black Dodge Charger equipped with tinted windows, a single emergency light, and a tinted license plate cover, which sets it apart from the typical law enforcement vehicles found in the area.
Law enforcement is looking for a suspect described as a white man, “small in stature with brown hair.” He is reportedly wearing a gray and dark blue uniform with a vest that holds a radio and handcuffs.
Deputies in the affected counties emphasize that all official patrol cars are marked, and proper identification will be presented by law enforcement during traffic stops, according to 11 Alive.
If an unmarked vehicle stops you and you feel unsafe, sheriffs recommend the following steps:
– Call 911 to verify the legitimacy of the traffic stop.
– Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to stop, and pull over once you are in a populated area.
– Do not exit your vehicle without instructions from law enforcement.
If you suspect someone is impersonating law enforcement, the sheriff’s office encourages you to contact 911, explain your concerns, and a qualified member of Towns County 911 will guide you on what to do next.
“Citizen safety is our top priority, and we are taking these reports as a personal attack on your safety and that of all members of the law enforcement community who protect the roads we travel every day,” the sheriff’s office said. “Stay safe, and again, if in doubt, call 911,” ANF reported.
[Feature Photo via ANF]
