Sarcoxie Police investigate report of man impersonating officer, pulling female driver over

(From the Sarcoxie Police Department)

On 03-03-2020, our department was made aware of a post circulating Facebook and fielded questions concerning the post made.

The post mentions a black SUV that followed a female driver from our city onto Unicorn Road where they initiated red and blue lights behind the driver on Unicorn Road.

Our Department launched a small investigation and have been in contact with Newton County Dispatch and the Newton County Sheriff's Office to get more information on this incident. We have also been in contact with our Dispatch Center here in Jasper County to see if they can locate any other incidents in our immediate area.

To this date, our department has not handled any call related to this vehicle.

Tips to follow if you believe you are being pulled over by a person impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer:

1. At night, find a well-lit place to pull over and where people could possibly see you.

2. Keep your doors locked.

3. If contact is made, ask for their name and badge number. All of our officers are trained to provide that information. If the person becomes agitated at this request, this should be a warning sign, ask for their supervisor.

4. You can always dial 911 to confirm if there is law enforcement in the area. If they confirm that they are trying to stop your vehicle, of course, pull over and comply. If they say no law enforcement is in the area, do not stop for any reason.

Always be alert to your surroundings.

If you have any information on this vehicle please contact our department at 417-548-3500 or 417-359-9100.