Police: Fake cop pulled over driver in W. Manheim Twp.
West Manheim Township Police are warning people about a man who pretended to be a police officer and pulled over a vehicle in the township on Sunday.
Police said about 8:40 p.m., a township resident was stopped along Pumping Station Road just off Baltimore Pike by a man driving a dark-colored car similar to an unmarked police cruiser. The vehicle had a flashing blue light on the dashboard, but no visible police markings or exterior lights, police said.
The police impersonator approached the man's car, told him he was speeding and said the man's vehicle matched the description of a stolen car, according to police.
The driver gave his license and registration to the fake cop, who returned to his car with them for about 10 minutes, police said. The fake cop then gave the identification back to the man and told him he could leave, police said.
Description: The fake cop is white with a tan complexion, about 6 feet tall, about 180 pounds, with a thin mustache, police said. He was wearing a khaki shirt and pants, a jacket with gold stripes on the sleeves, a campaign-style police hat -- similar to the hats worn by state police -- and a belt with small pouches on it, police said. He displayed no badge, no patches and no firearms.
Police Chief Tim Hippensteel said traditionally, police cruisers in this state are equipped with red and blue lights, and usually more than just one on the dashboard.
What to do: Drivers who are signaled to stop by an unmarked vehicle that appears suspicious can keep driving slowly to a well-lighted area, such as a business or parking lot where other people are present, the chief said.
Keep your doors locked and open the window just enough to communicate until you can determine it's really a police officer, Hippensteel said.
State law requires officers in unmarked vehicles to show official identification if asked to do so, as long as the request is reasonable and the officer's safety isn't at risk, Hippensteel said.
Anyone with information about the fake cop is asked to call township police at 632-7059.
-- Reach Elizabeth Evans at levans@yorkdispatch.com, 505-5429 or twitter.com/ydcrimetime.
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