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Police: Man impersonating police officer pulls over off-duty Southport police lieutenant

Posted at 4:24 PM, Apr 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-22 16:24:29-04

SOUTHPORT — An Indianapolis man was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer after he tried to pull over an off-duty Southport police lieutenant, police say.

On March 1, Phillip Espique pulled up next to the lieutenant and used a siren to try to get him to pull over on US 31 South, according to a press release from the Southport Police Department. When the lieutenant didn't pull over, Espique got in front of him, got out of his car with a gun on his belt and went to confront the lieutenant.

The lieutenant was with his family, so he didn't identify himself and called an on-duty police supervisor to come to the scene, according to the release. The lieutenant was able to get Espique's license plate number before he left the scene.

Espique was arrested Monday on a warrant for impersonation of a public servant, criminal confinement, intimidation, and reckless driving, according to the release.

PhillipEspique.PNG
Phillip Espique

Detectives believe he may have tried to pull over other vehicles on the south side of Indianapolis, according to the release.

If you have information on the incident or think you have been pulled over by him, you are asked to call SPD Detective Ryan at 317-787-7595.