Police in North Vancouver say they’ve made an arrest in a case of police impersonation and are urging any other victims to come forward.
The force said in a news release Tuesday that someone driving a Ford F-150 attached flashing red and white lights to the truck and pulled over a Tesla driver on March 1.
The F-150 driver identified himself as a North Vancouver RCMP officer, but was not wearing a uniform and did not have any other police equipment or identification.
A few days later, on March 4, real North Vancouver RCMP officers arrested a man they believe to be the F-150 driver. The truck was also seized. Officers think the man may have tried to pull over additional victims.
“We are asking anyone who may have been pulled over by this vehicle to take note of key identifying details,” Cpl. Mansoor Sahak said in a news release. “The truck has a light bar placed on the lower centre of the windshield, which resembles lighting used on police vehicles. If you recall seeing these features and had a similar interaction, we encourage you to come forward and speak with investigators.”
The force advised anyone stopped by police to verify the officer’s identity by asking to see official badges or photo ID cards with their regimental number. If someone is ever uncertain about the legitimacy of a police stop, they can call 911. The dispatcher will be able to verify if an officer is conducting a traffic stop in the area.
“Trust your instincts: If something feels amiss, inform the individual that you’re contacting the police to verify their identity. Genuine officers will understand and support your caution,” police said.