DSP News Release: Troopers Investigate State Police Impersonation Incident 

Location:

·         Ogletown Stanton Road (RT 4) at Rolling Drive (Rutherford), Newark, DE

Date of Occurrence:

·         Monday, December 5, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.

Victim:

·         22 year old female

Suspects/Suspect Vehicles

·         Suspect 1: Hispanic male, 25-30 years of age. Last seen wearing a blue uniform type short sleeve shirt with badge and blue pants, small square style hat with brim. Suspect did not wear a gun belt or gun

·         Suspect 2: White male, 25-30 years of age. Last seen wearing a blue uniform type short sleeve shirt with badge and blue pants, small square style hat with brim. Suspect did not wear a gun belt or gun.

·         Both suspects were operating black Dodge Chargers with dark tinted windows. Vehicles were equipped with red and blue lights in the interior of the cars.

Resume:

Newark-Troopers are investigating an incident in which two male suspects impersonated State Troopers after being involved in a collision.

The incident occurred on Monday, November 5, 2011 at approximately 12:00 p.m. as a male suspect operating a Dodge Charger struck the rear of another vehicle being operated by the victim in the area of Ogletown Stanton Road and Rolling Drive, Newark. After the collision the suspect activated red and blue emergency lights from within the Charger, exited and approached the female victim. The suspect who was dressed in a police type uniform described above, identified himself as a State Trooper from Troop 6, provided a fictitious badge number, and also provided the victim a false phone number.  The suspect advised the victim that a report would be completed and filed at Troop 6.  Approximately 10 minutes later, a second Dodge Charger with tinted windows arrived at the crash, with a second suspect wearing the same type uniform described above. Both suspects then left the crash scene in the Dodge Chargers.

 What to do if you believe you are being contacted by a police impersonator

If you believe you are being pulled over by a person who may be impersonating a police officer, be cautious, and remember the safety tips below from the Delaware State Police:

- Put on your flashers, drive the speed limit and call 911 from your cell phone. Tell the 911 dispatcher that you are concerned. If you do not have a cell phone, drive to a well lit, busy area, such as the parking lot of a busy store.
- Do not stop your vehicle or get out of your vehicle until a dispatcher can confirm you are being pulled over by a legitimate police officer.
-If the dispatcher cannot confirm that you are being pulled over by a police officer, stay on the line with the dispatcher. Drive carefully to a safe place, such as a local police department.
-If you are issued documents that may be suspicious, contact the issuing agency about their legitimacy.
- Report anything suspicious.

Troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed or has any information in reference to this incident, are asked to contact Corporal Seitz at DSP Troop 6 at 302-633-5000 Ext #667 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.  Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com 

Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

Released: 120611 1630