Denver police are looking hard for a cop impersonator — and he’s been active in District 9, so heads up. This guy pulls drivers over as if for a traffic stop, then robs them.
Yesterday at about 5 p.m. an alert motorist thwarted this con artist’s latest attempt, which took place in the far northeast corner of District 9 near the intersection of 47th and Race. The driver was pulled over by a white car with red-and-blue emergency lights flashing over the driver’s side visor. The phony cop got out and asked to see the motorist’s license and registration, but when a passenger in the car asked to see the policeman’s badge and identification, the guy got back into his car and fled.
Suspect’s description: Tall white male, clean-shaven, light brown hair, wearing a tan work jacket with a badge-looking thing on the left side of his chest.
One of these ripoffs occurred in the 500 block of Santa Fe about two weeks ago, and another occurred on Monday at approximately 35th and Colorado Boulevard. They seem to occur in neighborhoods populated predominantly by Latinos and African-Americans.
While this guy is on the loose, DPD recommends that you observe the following precautions if you happen to be pulled over by a policeman:
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Look for legitimate markings identifying the car as a Denver Police Department vehicle.
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If you’re being pulled over by someone whom you suspect to be a bogus cop, don’t stop — drive to the nearest police station (following all traffic laws, signals, and signs en route).
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If you feel compelled to pull over, find a well-lit or densely populated place to do so.
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Ask for credentials, a badge, and a police photo ID card (not merely a business card).
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Call Denver police on your cell phone and ask the dispatcher to send over an officer in uniform in a marked police car.
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Denver police officers will almost never make a traffic stop when not in uniform.
Be alert. If you encounter this person or see him making contact with another motorist, call the police immediately.
