Sheriff’s office warns police impersonator performing traffic stops

MARSHALL COUNTY, Miss. — The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office is advising the public to be aware of their surroundings to avoid a man pretending to be a police officer and attempting traffic stops in Mississippi.

Deputies say they have been receiving unconfirmed reports of citizens being stopped or attempting to be stopped by a man in an unmarked white Chevrolet Impala.

The Impala reportedly has an inside-the-car blue light bar under the front windshield visors.

There have been possible sightings of the man and the vehicle within the Victoria and Mt. Pleasant areas along Highway 311.

The man is described as a thin male in his twenties wearing a skull cap, a black long-sleeve shirt with “Police” across the chest, and earrings in each ear. Deputies say he may also be wearing a ballistic or bulletproof vest.

Stacy Vanhoosier says she was pulled over by the fake cop on Highway 311 between Isom Chapel and River Rhodes Road

“He just kept sitting there, and as I drove by he flashed his lights at me,” Vanhoosier said. “Going up the hill he instantly pulled out behind me and turned on blue lights. He came to my car and said the reason he had pulled me over is because I was speeding.”

Vanhoosier said she handed him her driver’s license. The man told her, “Well I’m going to let you go on a warning this time.”

Deputies say their marked vehicles are either Durango Chargers or Tahoes, but they don’t have any Chevy Impalas like the suspect was driving.

Deputies advise drivers who are being stopped by police to call 911 if they do not feel safe or if they are uncertain who is stopping them.

Tell the operator you’re being stopped, where you are, and put your 4-way flashers on then drive slowly to a well-lit or public area before stopping.

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