INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police are investigating a possible police impersonator who stopped a driver last week on Interstate 74 near the Marion and Shelby County line.
A person driving a black and tan Dodge Charger activated a full-sized red and blue set of emergency lights when he stopped a driver April 19 between the 99 and 103 mile markers on I-74 westbound, according to a news release from Indiana State Police.
The suspect allegedly approached the vehicle from the driver's side, tapped his flashlight on the window and identified himself as an Indiana State Police trooper. State police said the man requested the person's driver's license and registration but never returned with the documents.
State police described the suspect as a black male between 5-feet-8-inches and 6-feet tall and weighing 180-200 pounds with a buzzed haircut and mustache. He wore a police uniform consisting of a dark blue long-sleeve shirt, dark blue pants, a red tie, badge over the left shirt pocket and gloves, according to state police.
The driver, who did not see any other identification, hat, gun belt or firearm, described the badge to authorities as an oval with an eagle on top.
A police officer must either be in full uniform or a marked police vehicle to conduct a traffic stop, state police said. A police officer in plain clothes or an unmarked vehicle cannot make a traffic stop for a traffic violation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
