LONOKE, AR – Lonoke police are searching for a man they say impersonated an officer Saturday night. This is the fourth officer impersonation case in the past two months.
Lonoke County is one of three central Arkansas counties dealing with this issue. The other two, Pope and Jefferson counties. A victim says getting pulled over by a impersonator is terrifying.
“I didn’t know what he was going to do. I didn’t know what was on him,” says victim Heather Barns.
Barns says she was coming home from her sister’s house Saturday night when she saw flashing lights behind her on Highway 5.
“Okay, I’ve never seen a cop car with lights on the dash,” says Barns.
The mother of three says when she was pulled over a man in dark clothing approached her.
“I thought they usually have a flashlight when they stop you at night but he didn’t have nothing in his hands,” says Barns.
Barns says her instincts kicked in. “When he walked up the car and he said roll down the window. I don’t know, something told me to take off so I took off.”
The would-be officer followed Barns for several miles until she pulled into a nearby fire station.
“After he saw I was turning in there he shut off the lights on the dash then took off and headed north,” says Barns.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley says when a legitimate officer pulls you over you’ll know it. “When the lights come on, it’s not one small flashing light, it’s like a Christmas tree,” says Staley.
The danger, deputies say is the access of purchasing police-looking lights on the internet. Deputies say there are ways to defend yourself.
“If you have any questions, slow your speed, and dial 911 and confirm that,” says Staley
And make sure you head to a well lit area.
Barns says she’s glad she got away. But is scared to think how the fake traffic stop could have ended, “I just feared for my life really.”
The Sheriff says impersonating an officer of the law is a felony and can land someone up to five years in prison. Again, if you feel like you’re being targeted, hit the hazards, slow down, and call 911.
Lonoke County is one of three central Arkansas counties dealing with this issue. The other two, Pope and Jefferson counties. A victim says getting pulled over by a impersonator is terrifying.
“I didn’t know what he was going to do. I didn’t know what was on him,” says victim Heather Barns.
Barns says she was coming home from her sister’s house Saturday night when she saw flashing lights behind her on Highway 5.
“Okay, I’ve never seen a cop car with lights on the dash,” says Barns.
The mother of three says when she was pulled over a man in dark clothing approached her.
“I thought they usually have a flashlight when they stop you at night but he didn’t have nothing in his hands,” says Barns.
Barns says her instincts kicked in. “When he walked up the car and he said roll down the window. I don’t know, something told me to take off so I took off.”
The would-be officer followed Barns for several miles until she pulled into a nearby fire station.
“After he saw I was turning in there he shut off the lights on the dash then took off and headed north,” says Barns.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley says when a legitimate officer pulls you over you’ll know it. “When the lights come on, it’s not one small flashing light, it’s like a Christmas tree,” says Staley.
The danger, deputies say is the access of purchasing police-looking lights on the internet. Deputies say there are ways to defend yourself.
“If you have any questions, slow your speed, and dial 911 and confirm that,” says Staley
And make sure you head to a well lit area.
Barns says she’s glad she got away. But is scared to think how the fake traffic stop could have ended, “I just feared for my life really.”
The Sheriff says impersonating an officer of the law is a felony and can land someone up to five years in prison. Again, if you feel like you’re being targeted, hit the hazards, slow down, and call 911.
