Posing as a cop is no joke

The dangers associated with impersonating a police officer were brought to light this week with the arrest of two men accused of driving around with rotating red and blue lights on the top of their truck and pulling people over.

Cory Allen Cole, 18, of 1518 Queen Palm Ave., Sebring, and Logan Anthony Morris, 19, of 1600 Cedarbrook St., Lake Placid, were arrested Tuesday and charged with two misdemeanor counts of obstructing police by unlawful use of blue lights.

Cole was also charged with two felony counts of fraudulently impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Both were released from jail Tuesday on a $1,000 and $2,000 bond, respectively.

The two reportedly drove their brown Ford truck with rotating lights down Kenilworth Boulevard in Sebring and U.S. 27 North in Lake Placid and pulled people over, the arrest report stated.

Highlands County Sheriff's Capt. Paul Blackman confirmed Thursday that motorists did pull over when they saw the flashing lights, but the suspects did not get out of the truck and make contact with anyone.

"I know we got complaints from two or three different people (driving down Kenilworth)," Blackman said. The sheriff's office also reportedly received complaints from drivers on U.S. 27.

Cole and Morris were found around 10:51 p.m. Monday at a Lake Placid gas station, the report stated.

Arresting sheriff's deputy Steven New reportedly saw sets of rotating red and blue lights in plain view of the truck's floor.

Staying safe around impersonators

Blackman said the sheriff's office has a lot of unmarked cars, so officers may not always be in an easily identifiable patrol car when making traffic stops.

If motorists are unsure whether the person pulling them over is a law enforcement officer or an impersonator, they are welcome to drive to a well-lit or populated area, such as a convenience store parking lot.

"They don't have to pull over as soon as they see the lights," Blackman said.

He does advise that if motorists want to go to a more secure location, they must also maintain a safe speed.

This same tip applies to drivers who have other cars pull up to them and indicate that their tire is low or loose, according to Blackman.

He said that, in his experience, when people alert other drivers to malfunctioning tires, it is usually a legitimate concern.

STAYING SAFE

The Oregon State Police has a list of tips to protect motorists from law enforcement impersonators. They include:

• Make sure it is a marked police unit. If it is not a marked unit, the emergency lights should be built in and not be a temporary light placed on the vehicle.

• Do not get out of the vehicle to meet the officer. Officers usually don't like this anyway.

• Lock your door.

• Look for a uniform, official department jacket and other equipment used by police officers for the performance of their duties.

• Pay attention to what they are asking. Most officers will advise you of the reason for the stop and request your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance.

• If they immediately tell you to get out of the car without any preliminary questions, be suspicious.