Tucson Police are hoping to identify possible victims of an Oro Valley man, who posed as a cop.
On December 19, 2017, Tucson Police officers responded to a suspicious activity call where a male stopped and searched three victims and handcuffed one of them. The suspect identified himself as an undercover law enforcement officer and had a red and blue flashing visor light on a white 4-door sedan that he was driving.
Detectives were able to identify the suspect. The suspect was located at a residence in Oro Valley. The vehicle and several items used during the incident were located during the service of a search warrant. Inside the vehicle, detectives located a forward-facing dashboard camera. The incident that was reported to TPD was documented on that video. In addition, several other similar stops that occurred earlier in the day were also recorded. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail on charges of kidnapping and impersonating a law enforcement officer. Additional charges are pending.
The video above documents part of the incidents from December 19. Detectives are uncertain at this point if the suspect committed additional offenses prior to this date. Detectives are asking anyone who may have been stopped or pulled over by a similar unmarked vehicle to call (520) 719-2002 ext. 723. The suspect carried a handheld scanner on his belt, a radio earpiece, and an expandable baton. He was driving a white 4-door sedan with red and blue flashing lights installed near the visor of the front windshield.
Authorities blurred the faces of the victims and the license plates of the vehicles involved in the video. They have also blurred the suspect’s face and are withholding his identity for the time being as they believe there may be additional victims that our detectives would like to interview.
The Tucson Police Department does have plain clothes officers working in unmarked vehicles and they do occasionally conduct traffic stops. If you do not believe that you are being stopped by a legitimate police officer, you can call 911. All officers carry a badge and police identification with them. You can ask for their name, badge number, and department identification. 911 can verify the name and badge number of the officer.