Man Impersonating Police Officer Stops Woman In Rochester: Cops

ROCHESTER, MI — A woman was stopped Monday night in Rochester by a man police believe was impersonating a police officer, Rochester Police said.

The woman told police she was driving in the area of Tienken and Washington roads at 8:15 p.m. when she saw red and blue flashing lights from a car behind her, police said.

When the woman pulled over to the side of the road, the car behind her, resembling a Ford Crown Victoria, immediately shut off the emergency red and blue lights, which appeared to be in a horizontal bar formation near the top of the vehicle, police said.

The man then exited the car and approached the woman, who was sitting in her car, police said.

Officials said he asked her where she was coming from and if she had been drinking. He then took her driver's license and registration back to his car, police said. He returned moments later and asked the woman to get out of her vehicle, police said.

The woman, who was alone in the vehicle, told the man she didn't feel comfortable because of how dark the area was and asked him to call for a second unit or if they could to move to a more well light area, police said.

The man then handed the woman back her license and registration and told her she was free to go, police said. Officials said he then reversed back on Washington Road and began to drive back southbound toward the roundabout at Tienken Road.

The entire stop lasted five minutes, police said.

The woman then contacted Rochester Police, who told her none of the department's (or surrounding agencies) officers stopped her on the road.

Police described the man as a white with dirty blonde hair (about 1 inch height on top with short, buzzed sides) and slightly lighter facial hair with a stubble beard. Police believe he is in his 30s, about 5 feet 11 inches, between 200 and 240 pounds. He also had a standard mid-western accent and had normal teeth.

He was last seen wearing a dark-blue jacket (similar to a windbreaker) with a dark colored vest type garment under the jacket with lots of pockets near the bottom and dark pants. He also had a belt with various attachments that resembled a police belt, police said.

The woman also said she believes she saw a flashlight holder on one of the sides, but did not notice if the man had a gun on his belt. She told police she did not see a badge, radio, camera, name plate, or patches on any of his clothing.

Rochester Police alerted other nearby agencies to be on the lookout for the suspicious man and vehicle.

Anyone with information should contact the Rochester Police at (248)651-9621. Police reiterated anyone stopped by someone they think is suspicious should call 911 and allow dispatch to verify the situation for you.