Man arrested after allegedly impersonating Caroline deputy while attempting to pull over driver on roadway

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A man was arrested and charged after authorities said he impersonated a law enforcement officer while attempting to pull a driver over on a town of Port Royal roadway on Friday morning. Officials said the man activated his flashing lights and displayed a badge

The morning of Friday, Oct. 17, a Caroline County Sheriff's Office deputy was monitoring traffic along Route 301 in the town of Port Royal in Caroline, when two vehicles pulled into a parking lot near the James Madison Memorial Bridge.

According to authorities, the unidentified female driver of one of the vehicles approached Sgt. T. Brown and reported that the man driving the other vehicle, a dark gray Chevrolet Traverse, was following her closely.

She said that he pulled alongside her into her blind spot and stayed there as she tried to create distance.

The sheriff's office said the female driver did not pull over and reportedly saw Brown's patrol vehicle and drove to him to report the situation. Brown requested help from a nearby deputy and identified the driver as a 43-year-old man of Port Royal.

When authorities searched the vehicle, they seized a “Fugitive Recovery Bail Enforcement” badge, a pepper ball gun, a body-worn camera and a bullet-resistant vest.

The man was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and unauthorized use of red, blue or amber lights. He was released pending court proceedings.

“When someone impersonates law enforcement, it creates a real danger to the public and undermines trust in the men and women who serve our community," said Sheriff Scott Moser. "We’re asking anyone who may have had a similar encounter with this vehicle or individual to contact us right away. And if any citizen ever questions the legitimacy of a traffic stop, I urge them to call 911 to verify the officer’s identity before pulling over.”

Investigators determined similar incidents may have occurred in King George County along the Route 301 corridor. The Caroline and King George sheriff's offices are working to see if the same vehicle and suspect are connected to those cases, per the sheriff's office.

Anyone who believes they may have been stopped or followed by a dark gray Chevrolet Traverse displaying interior strobe lights is urged to contact Deputy S. Batchelor at 804-633-5400.