Drivers are on alert and law enforcement is on the lookout for the police impersonator who pulled a driver over just before 9:00 p.m. last Friday along Woodlane Road in Eastampton near the Town Center Apartments.
The phony cop had flashing grill lights on his black and white or black and blue sedan, and carried a badge, gun, radio and handcuffs.
"He took him back to his vehicle where he placed him in handcuffs, placed him in the rear of the vehicle," explained Lt. Ronald Coppola.
The suspect is described as a husky white male, 5 ft. 10 to 6 feet tall with a goatee and scar under his right eye. He allegedly drove the victim around for several minutes and released him. When he returned to his car his GPS was missing.
"We are taking this extremely seriously. We are investigating it very aggressively and hopefully we can bring this to a conclusion before any more people get hurt by this gentleman," said Lt. Coppola.
"There are a lot of lunatics out there. I mean I don't know why somebody would want to do something like that," said Troy Peditto.
"You're in a panic first of all because you're being pulled over and gosh I don't know what I would do. It's scary," said Joyce Lyons.
Lt. Coppola says real police officers will have a marked car with flashing overhead lights or if it's unmarked, there will be flashing lights at several different locations on the vehicle. He says legitimate cops will always identify themselves and if you're afraid or unsure about a roadside stop he says acknowledge the officer and head to a public area with better lighting.
Officials are anxious to catch the police impersonator, because it makes the public distrust legitimate, hardworking officers.
"I think it's a terrible black eye that it gives them and you know it's really not right. Our cops are wonderful, they do a great job," said Deputy Mayor Louise Campbell.
