SR-25
02-13-2006, 10:44 AM
Feb. 13 - KGO - A warning from the California Highway Patrol (CHP): watch out for a man impersonating a CHP officer on East Bay freeways. He gets his victims to pull over, then robs them.
ABC7 has learned the police impersonator struck around 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning near High Street along I-880 and he robbed another driver Saturday morning, around 1:00 a.m., near Marina Bay Parkway in Richmond.
The CHP says the police impersonator had one solid blue light in the front of his car, and he flashed his high beams to pull over vehicles along the highway. He drives a dark SUV, and he's described only as "possibly Hispanic."
In both cases, the victims he robbed say they pulled over because they saw a single, solid blue light.
Fuad Fadell, driver: "I don't know anyone who would really look at it and say, 'Well, okay, this isn't the light. You know? Let's not pull over.' You're going to see lights, you're going to pull over."
Officer Trent Cross, California Highway Patrol: "By state law, a law emergency vehicle must display a solid red light to the front."
The CHP says it may also have a series of blue and white lights, combined with the solid red light. But it's illegal for any vehicle to have a solid blue light. However, it's not illegal to sell them.
Officer Trent Cross, California Highway Patrol: "I'd imagine you could be able to buy one, maybe at a party store or online."
Most fire engines and ambulances will only display red and white lights, and yellow lights are used for caution by road crews. But the CHP says there is no legal designation for a single, solid blue light.
Officer Trent Cross, California Highway Patrol: "If you find yourself in situation where someone is illuminating a solid blue light, don't stop, and dial 911."
Police say the impersonator struck on two consecutive nights during the early-morning hours. Police say he was wearing plain clothes and had no badge or I.D., which are things you should look for.
But by the time he pulled his victims over approached them, it was too late.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=3901748
ABC7 has learned the police impersonator struck around 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning near High Street along I-880 and he robbed another driver Saturday morning, around 1:00 a.m., near Marina Bay Parkway in Richmond.
The CHP says the police impersonator had one solid blue light in the front of his car, and he flashed his high beams to pull over vehicles along the highway. He drives a dark SUV, and he's described only as "possibly Hispanic."
In both cases, the victims he robbed say they pulled over because they saw a single, solid blue light.
Fuad Fadell, driver: "I don't know anyone who would really look at it and say, 'Well, okay, this isn't the light. You know? Let's not pull over.' You're going to see lights, you're going to pull over."
Officer Trent Cross, California Highway Patrol: "By state law, a law emergency vehicle must display a solid red light to the front."
The CHP says it may also have a series of blue and white lights, combined with the solid red light. But it's illegal for any vehicle to have a solid blue light. However, it's not illegal to sell them.
Officer Trent Cross, California Highway Patrol: "I'd imagine you could be able to buy one, maybe at a party store or online."
Most fire engines and ambulances will only display red and white lights, and yellow lights are used for caution by road crews. But the CHP says there is no legal designation for a single, solid blue light.
Officer Trent Cross, California Highway Patrol: "If you find yourself in situation where someone is illuminating a solid blue light, don't stop, and dial 911."
Police say the impersonator struck on two consecutive nights during the early-morning hours. Police say he was wearing plain clothes and had no badge or I.D., which are things you should look for.
But by the time he pulled his victims over approached them, it was too late.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=3901748