Police Search For Man Impersonating Police Officer

JESSUP (WJZ) -- Howard County police are searching for a police impersonator who robbed a motorist at gunpoint in Jessup Wednesday night.

The victim, a 24-year-old Burtonsville man, was driving on Vollmerhausen Road near the I-95 overpass in Jessup at approximately 6:20 p.m. when a Chevy Impala traveling behind him activated emergency lights.

The victim pulled over on the side of the road and stopped his vehicle. The suspect approached the driver's side window and asked to see the victim's license and registration. When the victim asked for the reason for the traffic stop, the suspect would not provide a reason and again demanded to see his license.

The victim retrieved his wallet, and the suspect took the wallet, then displayed a gun and demanded the car keys. The victim complied, and the suspect walked back to his vehicle and fled. As the suspect drove away, the victim noticed a second suspect in the passenger seat throw the car keys into a nearby wooded area.

The victim then immediately called police. An extensive area search failed to locate the suspect vehicle.

The suspect vehicle is described as a gold or champagne colored Chevy Impala. The suspect is described as a white male; approximately 6 feet tall; stocky build; approximately 30 years old; with a shaved head and clean shaven face; wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt with a blue vest and blue jeans.

The passenger in the suspect vehicle is described as a black male in his late 20s with short hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-313-STOP. Callers may remain anonymous.

Howard County police utilize both marked and unmarked patrol cars. Police offer the following tips for motorists safety when approached by an unmarked police car.

Activate your hazard lights to notify the officer you are complying with the request to pull over.

If you have a cell phone, call 911 and ask the dispatcher to verify that it is an officer attempting to pull you over. If the 911 operator has verified your vehicle description and your location, stop immediately for the officer.

If you are unsure, with your hazard lights activated, drive to a nearby public area that is well-lighted.

If the unmarked car is being operated by a plainclothes officer, you may request that a uniformed officer respond to the scene.