As reported today via MSNBC.com:
Man Pulled Over, Robbed By Fake Cops In Arlington
WJXT-TV
6:32 a.m. EDT June 21, 2006
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Two men impersonating officers pulled over a driver Saturday night on Cesery Boulevard, held a rifle to his neck and stole his money and gun, police said. The victim Juan Portalatin said the men were driving a Ford Crown Victoria that looked like a police cruiser, with flashing lights and a spotlight near the driver's door.
With the help of a translator, Portalatin said he thought nothing at first when police officers pulled him over on a stretch of road in Arlington, but the police officers turned out to be fakes.
Portalatin said he never thought he would survive the incident.
"He was thinking that they were going to kill him," Portalatin's translator said.
Portalatin told Channel 4 the alleged officer got out of the car and approached the driver's side door, asking for his license and registration and that he step out of the car.
However, when he did, he said another alleged officer approached him from the left and put a shotgun to his neck.
Portalatin said all he could think about was this 4-year-old daughter as the robbers stole more than $300 out of his pocket -- money he said he was planning to send to his daughter in Connecticut. The fake cops also stole a gun Juan kept in the driver's side door for protection.
Portalatin said he never thought the officers were fakes because they were driving what he described as a white unmarked Crown Victoria that was very similar to police cruisers, and the car had red and blue lights continuously flashing.
He also said the impersonators wore blue uniforms with fake badges.
Portalatin said he fears that his gun could be used on someone else. He said he never thought a traffic stop and the flashing lights could ever be fakes.
"If you are being pulled over by an unmarked vehicle, there are not lights on the top, no marking on the car, call the non-emergency number, 630-0500, go to a well lit spot and verify that it is a police officer and it is a legal stop," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Jefferson.
Investigators continue to search for the men who robbed Portalatin.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13448263
- Janq
Note: There are important lessons to be had here;
1. Do not exit your car unless you can confirm the police are in fact police. If you have any doubt what so ever remain seated in your car and advise the officer(s) that you would like to see some sort of identification (e.g. badge) or tell them you are feeling uncomfortable and would like to speak with another officer. If they are real cops they'll be able to do this albeit yes they just might get a tad aggravated. It's better that than robbed, raped, or dead.
2. Why do people keep their CCW in car doors?
It's no good to you in the door especially if you're right handed.
If you're going to car carry and not have it holstered, preferably in a weak side appendix carry so as to clear the seatbelt, then atleast keep it to the right/stringside and somewhere you can actually get hold of it.
Not that it would have done the person in this case much good at the point that he's outside of the car with it off his person.
Man Pulled Over, Robbed By Fake Cops In Arlington
WJXT-TV
6:32 a.m. EDT June 21, 2006
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Two men impersonating officers pulled over a driver Saturday night on Cesery Boulevard, held a rifle to his neck and stole his money and gun, police said. The victim Juan Portalatin said the men were driving a Ford Crown Victoria that looked like a police cruiser, with flashing lights and a spotlight near the driver's door.
With the help of a translator, Portalatin said he thought nothing at first when police officers pulled him over on a stretch of road in Arlington, but the police officers turned out to be fakes.
Portalatin said he never thought he would survive the incident.
"He was thinking that they were going to kill him," Portalatin's translator said.
Portalatin told Channel 4 the alleged officer got out of the car and approached the driver's side door, asking for his license and registration and that he step out of the car.
However, when he did, he said another alleged officer approached him from the left and put a shotgun to his neck.
Portalatin said all he could think about was this 4-year-old daughter as the robbers stole more than $300 out of his pocket -- money he said he was planning to send to his daughter in Connecticut. The fake cops also stole a gun Juan kept in the driver's side door for protection.
Portalatin said he never thought the officers were fakes because they were driving what he described as a white unmarked Crown Victoria that was very similar to police cruisers, and the car had red and blue lights continuously flashing.
He also said the impersonators wore blue uniforms with fake badges.
Portalatin said he fears that his gun could be used on someone else. He said he never thought a traffic stop and the flashing lights could ever be fakes.
"If you are being pulled over by an unmarked vehicle, there are not lights on the top, no marking on the car, call the non-emergency number, 630-0500, go to a well lit spot and verify that it is a police officer and it is a legal stop," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Jefferson.
Investigators continue to search for the men who robbed Portalatin.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13448263
- Janq
Note: There are important lessons to be had here;
1. Do not exit your car unless you can confirm the police are in fact police. If you have any doubt what so ever remain seated in your car and advise the officer(s) that you would like to see some sort of identification (e.g. badge) or tell them you are feeling uncomfortable and would like to speak with another officer. If they are real cops they'll be able to do this albeit yes they just might get a tad aggravated. It's better that than robbed, raped, or dead.
2. Why do people keep their CCW in car doors?
It's no good to you in the door especially if you're right handed.
If you're going to car carry and not have it holstered, preferably in a weak side appendix carry so as to clear the seatbelt, then atleast keep it to the right/stringside and somewhere you can actually get hold of it.
Not that it would have done the person in this case much good at the point that he's outside of the car with it off his person.