Fake Cop Robbed Motorist, Deputies Say

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies are asking residents to keep their eyes open for a man they say managed to rob another Monday morning by impersonating a law enforcement officer.

The incident took place around 9:55 a.m. on Clay Pit Road at County Road 570. Deputies say the victim, a 34-year-old Seffner man, was traveling northbound on 570, approaching Clay Pit Road when a vehicle came up behind him. The driver of that vehicle was honking the horn and holding what appeared to be a badge out of the window.

The victim pulled over and the fake cop approached his vehicle, the sheriff’s office wrote in an email to media. The suspect then identified himself as an undercover narcotics officer and told the victim he needed to search the car. He also told the man he had a warrant for his arrest.

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The victim agreed to let the man he thought was a cop search the car. The “cop,” however, took the victim’s wallet, car keys and cellphone at that time, the email said.

“The suspect then had the victim come back to his vehicle and sit in the back seat,” the email from the sheriff’s office stated. “He then told the victim to go back to his vehicle and retrieve another piece of identification. When the victim got out of the suspect’s vehicle, the suspect fled in the opposite direction.”

The man deputies are looking for is described as a Hispanic male in his 40s. He is clean shaven, has short hair and is between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches in height. He weighs about 170 pounds and was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans. The man was armed with a chrome or nickel-plated gun in a left-side holster. He was driving a dark blue SUV that may be a Toyota 4 Runner or Trail Blazer. The vehicle had a gray cloth interior.

Anyone with any information about the suspect is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200. Those who want to remain anonymous or be eligible for a potential reward may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

Image via Shutterstock

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