Counterfeit Cops Target Two Women

Alabama Bay Minette Two incidents on Eastern Shore in less than 24 hours. What do you do if you’re not sure the person pulling you over is really a police officer?

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Wed, November 19, 2008 - 6:01 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, November 19, 2008 - 6:30 pm CST

Two women have been targeted by men posing as cops in less than 24 hours.

In both cases the women were pulled over by a man in an unmarked car.

The first incident happened Tuesday evening on Highway 31 in Spanish Fort. The man was driving a white Dodge Charger with a single, blue revolving light on the dash board. Investigators say the woman became suspicious when the fake cop asked her to get out of the car.

"He could have been pretending to be a police officer because that's what he wants to do or he could have been up to pure evil," says Maj. Anthony Lowery of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.

The woman says the fake cop was not wearing a uniform and did not show her a badge. She drove away and called police immediately. "She did all the right things. That's why she's safe today," says Lowery.

The second incident happened Wednesday around 10:30 a.m. on Highway 59 south of Bay Minette, according to Cpl. Joe Piggott, a spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Piggott says the man involved in this case claimed to be a state trooper. He was driving a beige Mercury Marquis with lights in the grill of the vehicle.

Piggott says the man in this case pulled a woman over and gave her a warning for speeding. Piggott says his department is confident the man is not a state trooper, but he says it is unclear whether the cases are connected.

If you're involved in a traffic stop and become suspicious of the person pulling you over, you can do the following:

(1) Turn on your caution lights and drive to a safe, well-lit location.

(2) Call 911 and ask to be connected to a dispatcher to verify whether the person making the traffic stop is a real officer.

(3) Always ask to see the officer's badge if he does not present it.

Investigators insist officers no longer use revolving dashboard lights. Instead, a true police officer will have strobe or LED lights.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office has 5 Dodge Chargers in their fleet; however, four of the vehicles are marked, and the fifth vehicle, which is driven by an investigator with the Criminal Investigations Division, is unmarked but not white.

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m442sk433w Says:

Sat, Dec 13, 2008 at 4:21 am

Wow, yet another cop-bashing commentary. Here’s some things to do, other than what was stated above:

1) Police do use unmarked/ “slicktop” vehicles, but most of them have enough hidden blue lights to signal Mars.
2) Like stated above, put on a turn signal or hazard lights, slow down, and drive to the nearest well-lit area, if it’s a short distance away. Most cops are all too aware of phonies and will understand you’re not attempting to flee.
3) The officer should, but won’t always, have an official looking uniform. When requested, the officer should give you his name, department and sometimes badge number. You may also request the name of his/her supervisor.

If you do all this, explain your reasoning for your actions, and be polite and respectful, things should go safely. Also, keep in mind experienced cops often will wait to stop violators in well-lit areas as much for their safety as yours. Sometimes, though, it just isn’t feasible.

AuntD Says:

Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 9:44 am

Daphne Police did drop the ball,if that means having a bad attitude, arrogant, and not having the human characteristic of compassion then your right. Hey wonder how many balls have they dropped, what are the odds this is the first? I am just thankful the counterfeit cops have not been any more aggressive than they have, or we might watch another ball fall.

southernbell Says:

Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 7:28 am

No boss here, Patch just keeping it real. My comment was about the FAKE COP, not Brianna! However, don’t attack the DPD, let’s save it for the sick-o that deserves it. Until DNA returns,no one can truly do anything w/out compromising the case. The DPD cannot afford any more mistakes. You have every right to be angry, I know I am, but they got a huge wake up call with the way things went down. You can believe the are going by the book now! Help us help Bries’ family. They need all the help and support they can get.

patch Says:

Tue, Dec 09, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Everybody has their own opinion.

If anyone had bothered to look down the street from the Bay House Pub they would have found the body of the missing woman. Instead, her family had to come from Texas to find her.Get real, nobody bothered to look for her.
And I can pass along whatever I want to just like you do. What makes you the boss here?

southernbell Says:

Tue, Dec 09, 2008 at 4:05 pm

My dearest “Patch” DPD are good local people who have chosen to work for the city in which they reside…pass that to your reliable source! They too want to be safe as well as their families and friends. Also, DPD is not on this case…just assisting. The County is in charge of this operation. Pass that on to your reliable source as well! Check your facts before making them public. Just trying to help so don’t take this too personally. Why don’t you help locate this wanna-be-cop like the rest of us.That would be more helpful than slamming the DPD.He is all over this county! Keep your eyes open & help protect the women in this community.That would be very much appreciated.

patch Says:

Tue, Dec 09, 2008 at 2:45 pm

I heard from a reliable source that DPD only hires rejects no others will hire. It seems to be accurate.

southernbell Says:

Mon, Dec 01, 2008 at 11:56 am

CORRECTION on # of attempts! The first attempt was on Monday, also on hwy 31 @ 9 a.m. He tried to pull a woman over using his dashboard light but she wouldn’t pull over. She thought it was kids pranking other drivers. Not even close to being a victim,she notified the S.F.P.D. There doesn’t seem to be any knowledge about that incident. Let’s keep the corret # of attempts so when they do get him,he can take responsibility for all of his wanted to be victims! WATCH OUT WOMEN AND TEENAGERS.

Tide Fan Says:

Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 8:24 am

You people are friggin nuts…

AuntD Says:

Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 7:48 am

The bad guys can do what they please in Daphne since I feel the entire police force is counterfeit.How many people do you know who has been questioned about the murder?

GulfPirate Says:

Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 7:10 am

BeHonest, i couldn’t agree with you more! drive to a safe place and recieve a beat down. Over in Europe lots of places you never see a police car. They have speed cameras all over the place though.