Austin ISD Police Seek Man Who Pulled Over School Bus Impersonating Officer

NORTH AUSTIN, TX -- Police continue searching for a man accused of impersonating an officer after he tried stopping a school bus who is also suspected of taking pictures outside a middle school.

The armed man posing as a police officer on Tuesday tried to stop a school bus with an Anderson High School student on board, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Before that, an incident was reported of a man -- possibly the same one -- taking photos of students using a Murchison Middle School crosswalk, according to the report.

The middle school incident was reported first, the Statesman noted. A driver described the man to officials, saying he was wearing a red shirt and tan shorts.

That same day, reports were received of a man posing as a police officer who pulled over the school bus. Police said he carried a gun and was wearing military-style pants and an orange shirt, according to the report.

School district officials said the man was able to get the bus driver to stop by flashing his headlights.

School officials described the incident in a letter to parents: “The man attempted to get information regarding the bus route, but the driver completed her route before talking to the man. After the driver dropped off the student, the bus was pulled over again and the man boarded, again asking about the route. The bus driver requested his credentials, at which point the man got off the bus.”

Once the suspect is identified, the man faces a charge of impersonating a police officer, Austin ISD police said via Twitter. They asked anyone with information about the suspect to call them at (512) 414-1703, the same number staff members and students alike should report any suspicious behavior.

AISD police posted a still image from a bus surveillance camera of the suspect in the hopes someone might recognize him and alert police as to his whereabouts.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

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