2 Reports Of Police Impersonators Over The Weekend Has Police Concerned
DENVER (CBS4) - Police in Denver are investigating two incidents of police impersonations over the weekend.
The second incident happened Saturday at 11:30 p.m. a few blocks west of Washington Park in the area of Kentucky Avenue and Ogden Street. A man says two people in a dark blue sedan tried to pull him over.
"Anytime you have a person posing as a police officer that concerns us greatly," said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson.
The real Denver police say the two suspects pulled alongside their would-be victim's car. The man called 911 while being pulled over and the possible police posers left the scene driving west on Kentucky. That's in contrast to what happened Friday night to another man along the Denver and Wheat Ridge border. He suffered a much worse fate. The victim was roughed up by the fake officers before they let him go.
"They pulled him out of the car, they basically robbed him and they assaulted him," Jackson said. "They handcuffed him and I guess they even injured his face in the process."
Police say the fake officers bounced the victim's head off his windshield, cracking it, and then when he examined his wallet he discovered they thieves had taken $180 out of his wallet.
The Friday night impersonators included a white man, 5-foot-6 with a stocky build. He was dressed like an officer with a badge, holster and gun. The second suspect was described as a black man, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, also dressed in a police-looking uniform. He reportedly also had a badge, holster and gun. They were in a maroon Crown Victoria with red and blue lights.
On Saturday night the potential victim identified a white man as driving the dark blue sedan with lights on a dashboard. Police says he did not get a good look at his passenger.
Police say drivers are allowed to question whether someone who looks like an officer is in fact with the police department. They suggest calling 911 to verify whether an officer is in the area. The 911 operator will work with the driver to help decide if they're dealing with an officer.
Howard Nathan is a veteran newsman. Decades later, he still enjoys writing a clever sentence, asking the tough question and talking to people in Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @CBS4Howard and read his bio.
