Results 1 to 10 of 15
-
June 17th, 2008, 07:07 PM #1
Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
Warning Issued About Counterfeit Cops
PITTSBURGH -- Two people from Ohio thought they were doing the right thing when they pulled over for someone claiming to be a police officer, but that wasn't the case.
About 12:30 Tuesday morning, Pittsburgh Police say a car was pulled over on Spring Garden Avenue by two men that weren't real cops.
People living in the area are just hearing of the incident.
"It concerns me because I'm a parent. I have a 4-year-old child," said Amanda Platek of Spring Garden.
"It's not hard to believe anymore what people are doing," said Al Thein of Spring Garden.
Police say two white males in a dark green older, model Ford Taurus pulled behind the victims and flashed the headlights.
The driver of the suspect car identified himself as a Pittsburgh Police officer and told the victims to pull over.
When they did, the two suspects got out of the car with semi-automatic handguns.
The victims were forced out of their car and searched.
The suspects took $240 dollars from the victims, their license plate and fled the scene.
"It's getting worse every year. It's you know, I'm going to keep my eye out," said Thein.
"I would have asked for identification first, to see who they really were, because if they weren't Pittsburgh Police they had no right doing it," said Platek.
The suspects allegedly showed a round, star-type badge.
Pittsburgh Police say even plain clothes officers have badges, clearly visible, and unmarked cars have red and blue flashing lights.
Police are asking everyone to be on alert.
"I live right up the street. I look around," said Thein.
-
June 17th, 2008, 07:27 PM #2Super Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2007
- Location
-
Phila outskirts,
Pennsylvania
(Delaware County) - Age
- 53
- Posts
- 563
- Rep Power
- 17061
Re: Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
This sort of thing pops up from time to time.
If you're getting pulled over and you suspect things, put your flashers on (which lets the car behind you know they have been acknowledged) and drive to a gas station or something with people.
You could also call 911 to verify there is a car that has informed dispatch that they lit you up.
-
June 17th, 2008, 07:31 PM #3
Re: Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
Incidents like this make me think that police departments should restrict routine traffic patrol to uniformed officers. I know that's not the cure, but I think it would make it atleast a little more difficult for the perpetrators to pull off.
"Guess what?! I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"
-
June 17th, 2008, 07:47 PM #4
Re: Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
The first vehicles normally on the scene of a crime are ambulances and police cruisers. If you are armed you have a chance to decide who gets transported in which vehicle, if you are not armed then that decision is made for you.
Be prepared, because someone else already is and no one knows their intent except them.
-
June 18th, 2008, 08:39 AM #5
Re: Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
This has been happening a lot more recently and it's scary especially for women. I have been told never to stop for an unmarked car. To drive slowly with flashers on to the nearest police station, then and only then will I stop. If it is a real police officer they will understand the concerns I have for my safety.
I had a car try to pull me over in this manner a few years back and they had the flashing headlights going. I slowed down but never stopped, when I was approaching the police station they quickly pulled off a side street a took off. My safety concerns are more important then any reason for pulling me over, period.
-
June 18th, 2008, 11:00 AM #6Grand Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
-
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
(Allegheny County) - Age
- 53
- Posts
- 7,320
- Rep Power
- 37698
Re: Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
one simple rule:
no red and blues...
no pull over.
-
June 18th, 2008, 11:38 AM #7Banned
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
-
Lolton,
Pennsylvania
- Posts
- 1,275
- Rep Power
- 0
Re: Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
Anyone can buy lights from Spencers or similar novelty shop that might look like police lights at night, also. Sometimes it's hard to determine the nature of the vehicle at night if they (the normal force) has lights placed in odd places (example, a marked car but lights placed inside instead of on top).
I've seen suggestions to call 911 (or, with the advent of GOOGLE 411, the station with local jurisdiction if you can ascertain that somehow) to verify.
It's a simple fact that the police officer is probably going to give you shit if you're inquisitive about his authority (i.e. I submit to no communication until I can ascertain you're an officer by calling your station's dispatcher) or approaching the situation armed (god help you if you don't have an LTCF and you're trying to defend yourself against fake police while driving!) I assume that's why the 911 call while putting on your flashers or dome light or whatever and slowing down but not stopping is suggested as a proactive move.
I think it's really a tough situation given the way both officers often already approach the situation along with the potential for any actor to be a fraud.
-
June 18th, 2008, 11:42 AM #8Grand Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
-
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
(Allegheny County) - Age
- 53
- Posts
- 7,320
- Rep Power
- 37698
-
June 18th, 2008, 11:54 AM #9
Re: Fake Pittsburgh cops pulling over cars
are they allowed to sell red-and-blue flashers?You can never have enough horsepower or ammunition.
-
June 18th, 2008, 11:56 AM #10
Similar Threads
-
Pulling .45 Colt bullets
By The_Vigilante in forum GeneralReplies: 1Last Post: May 27th, 2008, 01:34 AM -
Lets Ban Cars
By larrymeyer in forum GeneralReplies: 0Last Post: December 10th, 2007, 08:02 PM -
We need to get cars off the streets. Now.
By Johannes_Paulsen in forum GeneralReplies: 3Last Post: June 4th, 2007, 10:49 PM -
Phila. Man Acquitted After Pulling Gun at Peewee Football Game
By ursavus.elemensis in forum GeneralReplies: 5Last Post: April 19th, 2007, 12:16 AM -
pulling my hair out here...screw size to mount a dovetail on a mossberg?
By gunkid1448 in forum GeneralReplies: 3Last Post: March 29th, 2007, 09:19 PM
Bookmarks