RCMP urges motorists to remain vigilant after police impersonator pulls over vehicle
By Boundary Sentinel
RCMP said in a media release that motorists in the Boundary region are urged to be vigilant, after Midway RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious occurrence that took place Sunday evening on a back country provincial highway.
RCMP said on Sunday, March 21, 2021, shortly after 8:30 p.m., Midway RCMP received a third party report after a suspicious occurrence in which a yet to be identified suspect allegedly conducted a traffic stop with a motorist travelling between Rock Creek and Kelowna along Highway 33.
RCMP said the motorist did not exit the vehicle during the incident.
Police said acting on information relayed to police by a close family member of the motorist, front line RCMP officers deployed into the region in search of the suspect vehicle.
RCMP said investigators have learned that the motorist was in the Westbridge area when the suspect vehicle, a white pick up truck, pulled out behind him, follow the victim for a short distance and then activated a set of red and blue lights installed in the vehicle’s grill.
Police said the victim pulled to the side of the roadway and the suspect driver approached his vehicle carrying a flashlight.
“Although the victim was ordered to exit his vehicle during the interaction, he trusted his instincts, distracted the suspect and managed to flee towards Kelowna,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, a spokesman for the BC RCMP in the Southeast District in the media release.
“The suspect reportedly followed the victim for several kilometers before pulling off the highway. The victim contacted a family member when he entered into cell service range, who in turn reported the incident to police.”
Police said the unknown suspect was described as an older man with blonde unkempt hair, approx. 6-foot to 6-foot, 2 inches tall and was clean shaven and seen wearing a white dress shirt, with a dark pair of casual pants.
Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Midway RCMP at 250-449-2244.
RCMP offer the following tips to motorists who believe they are being stopped an non-legitimate police vehicle:
- Slow down, drive in a safe manner to the nearest well-lit, populated area.
If this is not possible, do the following:
- Lock all doors, pull over safely and leave your vehicle running;
- If you have a cellular phone, take it out immediately, hold it in full view of the person who has pulled you over and call 911;
- Calmly give the 911 operator your location and express your concern;
- Ask the 911 operator / police dispatcher if they have had any communication with a police officer about a traffic stop in your area and ask them to relay your concerns to that law enforcement officer;
- Tell the officer, through a cracked window and locked door, that you plan to cooperate, but you have heard about police impersonators. Indicate that you are concerned for your safety, and that you are verifying the police contact through dispatch;
- If you remain uncertain that the person who pulled you over is in fact a police officer, ask him/her if you can proceed to a more populated area. If he/she agrees, tell the 911 dispatcher where you are heading to and proceed.
