Manchester Police Issue Warning After 'Cop' Car Follows Resident

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township police are urging residents and motorists to be on the lookout for a car they say followed a resident on Sunday afternoon that may be masquerading as a police car.

The incident happened in the Beckerville section of Manchester, and the woman reported it to police about 5:20 p.m.

The woman said she encountered the car — an older model Ford Taurus four-door sedan that was brown or dark gray in color — as she left her home Sunday afternoon.

"The resident reported that she pulled over, allowing the vehicle to pass her, and then the vehicle pulled over and again began following her," police said in a post on Facebook. "The vehicle then very briefly flashed red and blue strobe lights from the grill of the vehicle."

The woman told police the car followed her from the area of her home to Route 70 and Manchester Boulevard, and when the woman turned onto a main highway, the suspicious car kept going straight, police said.

The suspicious car's rear window and four side windows all were tinted dark black, police said. "There are two strobe style lights affixed to the front grill that have the ability to flash red and blue. Also observed on the vehicle is what appears to be a metal shield or badge displayed on the driver side of the front windshield," police said. They did not have a description of the person or people in the car.

"We are checking with other law enforcement agencies throughout the state to see if they had any officers working investigations in Manchester or have any vehicles in their fleet that fit the above description," Manchester police said.

They also offered the following tips if you are being pulled over by a car that appears to be an unmarked police car:

• If you are being pulled over by an unmarked or questionable police vehicle and you are not sure of its authenticity, you can call 9-1-1 and ask them to verify the matter.
• If you are being pulled over by an unmarked car in a dark or desolate area, you should gesture politely with your hand and proceed carefully to a safe, well-lit area.
• If you are approached by an officer from an unmarked car, keep your hands where they can be seen and politely ask the officer for I.D. other than a badge or request that a supervisor be called to the location.
• If you have someone with you that can take a photograph of the vehicle or license plate or you can do it safely it can be helpful.

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The photo, provided by Manchester Township police, shows the suspicious car and was taken by the person who was followed