The Hollister Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a possible cop impersonator.
According to a statement released by the HPD on Monday:
On May 13, the Hollister Police Department received a report of a possible cop impersonator when a resident reported being stopped by a person in an unmarked car. The driver of the unmarked car used an emergency light to make an enforcement stop. The resident stopped her vehicle but later drove away when she suspected the person was not a real officer.
At about 10:30 am, a resident was in the area of Tres Pinos Road and Cushman Street when she noticed an older white Ford Crown Victoria car. The car appeared to be a police car with black stock wheels and spotlights. The car was following the resident’s vehicle when the unmarked car produced a red light for a traffic stop. The resident stopped her car in the area of Cushman Street and Andrews Drive.
The driver of the unmarked car contacted the resident, and asked for a driver’s license and other information. The man then questioned the resident about a crime she had no knowledge of. The resident suspected the man was not a real police officer and she demanded he identify himself. When he refused, she drove away.
The resident drove to the Hollister Police Department and filed a report of the incident. Police began investigating and shared the information with neighboring agencies. The Hollister Police Department currently does not have any unmarked White Ford Crown Victoria vehicles in its fleet.
The car was described as an older Ford Crown Victoria with spotlights, tinted windows and black wheels (similar to picture attached). The driver was described as a white male; about 40 years old; about 6 feet tall; with short blond hair, clean shaven and a muscular build; wearing a black shirt, black pants and black boots.
If anyone has information in regards to the location of this vehicle or the person described, please contact Sgt. Ray Celano at (831) 636-4330.
The Hollister Police Department advises if a vehicle attempting to pull you over is not a clearly marked police vehicle and you are not sure it is a real officer, you should slow down to show you are not trying to get away and signal your intent to pull over. Drive to a well-lit place with people around before you stop.
If the officer is not in uniform, get a good look at the “officer” and his or her credentials. If the officer refuses to show you a badge, only partially open your window and keep your doors locked. A real officer will understand your concern and have no problem identifying themselves.
If you have a cell phone, you can phone 911 and tell the operator that you have been pulled over by someone who claims to be a police officer but that you think the officer might not be real. Tell the operator exactly where you are. If it’s a real officer, the dispatcher should be able to tell you.
All unmarked Hollister police vehicles are well equipped with emergency lights and sirens. The officers driving them will communicate with their dispatchers before taking any enforcement action. They will also be able to identify themselves as officers.
If you believe a fake officer has attempted to pull you over, please report the incident as soon as possible.
