Man Impersonated Police Officer During Traffic Stop: Sheriff

SARASOTA, FL — A Sarasota man was arrested after impersonating a law enforcement officer and trying to conduct a traffic stop with his personal vehicle Sunday, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies received a 911 call around 4 p.m. about a black SUV with red and white strobe lights and an audible siren attempting to stop a vehicle on McIntosh Road near Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, the sheriff’s office said.

The caller initially pulled over, believing the SUV was a police vehicle. When the SUV’s driver didn’t exit, instead speeding off, the caller grew suspicious.

While on the phone with 911, the caller followed the SUV until deputies arrived near 2700 Hidden Lake Blvd. and spoke with the driver, later identified as Edward Correll, 52, SCSO said.

Correll admitted to making a traffic stop to scare the occupants of the other car, who he said he didn’t know, SCSO said. He was taken into custody and was impounded as evidence.

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He faces multiple charges, including one count of false personation of a police office and one count of driving while license suspended. He remains in custody on a $2,000 bond.