BENTONVILLE -- Th Police Department is seeking help with a case that involves a man impersonating a police officer.
Chief Jon Simpson issued a news release Friday about a man who stopped a woman as she drove home from work. The incident occurred at 2 a.m. Tuesday. The woman became suspicious when the man tried to open her vehicle door. The woman told the man she was going to call police. The man then drove away.
The man's vehicle was described as a black car with a dull or matte finish and dark tinted windows. It had the appearance of an old police car similar to a Ford Crown Victoria. The car was equipped with a silver spotlight on the driver's side and red and blue lights mounted on the car's dashboard.
The man was described as being well-groomed, about 6 feet tall with dark hair and a goatee. He was wearing black pants and a black long-sleeve shirt.
In the majority of circumstances, police cars making traffic stops will be fully marked with police light bars and other equipment, Simpson said.
If anyone has any doubt he or she is being stopped by a legitimate officer, that person should turn on their vehicle's emergency flashers and proceed cautiously to a well-lit, well-populated area, when possible, Simpson said. The person also can call 911 to confirm if the traffic stop is valid, Simpson said.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect's vehicle is asked to contact the Police Department at 479-271-3170.
NW News on 03/22/2014