LARGO, Fla. — Largo PD is looking to identify a police impersonator who executed a traffic stop.
Wednesday at 4:00 a.m., a newer model silver Lincoln sedan with dark-tinted windows activated blue and red lights on its dashboard and stopped a vehicle at Clearwater-Largo Road and New Jersey Street.
The suspect was wearing a navy windbreaker and black baseball cap that said "Police." He was also carrying a large flashlight.
"The first thing he says is, I'm pulling you over for texting and driving," said 23 year old Sandra McDearmon.
McDearmon says the suspect asked her for her driver's license and kept inquiring if there was anything to worry about in her car.
She believes he may have thought she was driving alone because her windows were tinted very dark and only her window was rolled down.
McDearmon was driving home with three friends in the car including two male friends.
"He looked like he was under the influence. You know, he was very nervous. When you normally see a police officer, they're not shaky voice. They're not trying to catch their breath when they're talking to you," she said.
When he took her license and returned to his car, two of her friends approached him to ask for his badge number. McDearmon says he sped away in his car almost hitting them.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned male with a tan complexion, about 6'0" tall with a thin build, and 35-40 years of age. He is described as having a long, narrow face with sunken cheeks, short dark hair and bushy eyebrows.
At no time did the suspect display a firearm or police radio. The vehicle had an orange-colored license plate, possibly a FL transporter tag, with the letters "REP" and "44" as the last two digits.
Largo Police say you can always slowly drive to a well-lit area if a police officer is pulling you over and you don't feel safe.
"If they feel like something isn't quite right they can ask for person that's an officer for credentials. Ask for an ID. They can ask to see the person's supervisor," said Largo Police's Lt. Randall Chaney.
Anyone with information of this police impersonator should call the Largo Police Department at 727-587-6730.
