The woman, a Baylor University student, was driving northbound on I-35 when an unmarked vehicle with flashing internal lights pulled her over on April 1, Lacy Lakeview Police said.
While reports of police impersonators are not common, cops say it is important to know what to do in case you find yourself in a similar situation.
Sergeant Kevin Hughes, an investigator with Hill County, told KCEN-TV that one way to differentiate between a real cop and an impersonator is by the lights.
“Most of the time they just have one or two or maybe three small lights and a true police agency is going to spend the money,” Hughes said.
He also recommended getting familiar with the types of vehicles local departments drive to be able to differentiate unmarked vehicles.
The Baylor University student told local news that she was going under the speed limit and assumed she was being pulled over for expired tags.
The driver in the unmarked Chevrolet Suburban exited the vehicle and approached the woman’s car, wearing a cowboy hat and carrying a gun.
The man said she was speeding, which she knew was not the case, and showed her an oddly shaped badge that was not associated with any police departments, KCEN-TV reported.
She also said he did not appear to be a police officer since he was not wearing a bulletproof vest or any sort of uniform and his behavior was strange.
“He asked for my license and my registration and I told him that I wasn’t really comfortable,” she told KCEN-TV. “It was kind of just the whole situation seemed very off, he seemed kind of frantic.”
The woman decided to call 911 and was told there were no officers reported making traffic stops in the area. She then asked for his badge number but he refused to give her one.
She said that the man attempted to open her driver’s side door while yelling at her to get out of the car. After notifying him that she called 911, the man got back in his vehicle and fled the scene, police said.
“We would like to express how serious we consider this event or any time someone attempts to impersonate a law enforcement officer,” police said in a statement. “We do perform traffic stops regularly and want you to know that at any time you feel unsafe or question the validity of the officer that is approaching your vehicle, we encourage you to call 911.”
The department also offered various recommendations for individuals who find themselves questioning the validity of an officer including pulling over in a well-lit area that feels “safe.”
To show the officer that you intend to pull over, the department recommends activating the turn signal while finding a safe place to pull over.
Impersonating a police officer is a third-degree felony that can be punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the suspect, a 5'10 Hispanic man, approximately 220 pounds who was driving a black Tahoe from 2018 or later.
Newsweek reached out to Lacy Lakeview Police but did not receive comment in time for publication.
