Detectives with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a Sunday incident in which a police impersonator attempted to stop a female motorist.
The female driver was followed Sunday evening at around 9 p.m. for a short period of time in the Tara Subdivision. The woman reported she became concerned when an unmarked white car followed her closely and then activated red and blue police-type lights on its dashboard.
Because she was not certain the person in the car was a real police officer, she continued a short distance to her destination and pulled into a driveway. As the woman got out of her car, the male driver of the white car made several derogatory remarks and sped away.
The car was described as possibly a 2004 or 2005 mid-size Pontiac four-door sedan. It was occupied by three black males. One was described as being approximately 19 years of age with a dark complexion and short hair. He was reportedly wearing a red shirt and a black baseball cap.
Fort Bend County Sheriff Milton Wright said deputies with his department rarely make traffic stops out of full uniform.
“Most traffic stops are made by uniformed deputies in marked cars with red and blue lights,” Wright said.
If a person is stopped by an unmarked vehicle, or if you have reason to believe the driver is not a police officer, Wright recommended these precautionary measures:
- Maintain current speed, obey all traffic laws and proceed to the nearest police agency.
- If you feel the need to pull over quickly, drive to a well illuminated area or densely populated location before stopping.
- Leave your windows up and your doors locked.
- Through the closed window, ask to see the officer’s credentials, a police photo identification along with the officer’s badge.
- Use your cell phone to contact the police if you suspect the person attempting to stop you is not a legitimate police officer.
- If you are still not convinced call 911 and check the ID with the dispatcher or ask to have a uniformed officer respond.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the Sunday evening incident.
The name of the female driver is not being released.
