Last Tuesday, a drive in El Dorado County turned dangerous when a motorist was stopped by a man impersonating an officer near China Hill Road and Highway 49. The suspect, a white male around 6 feet tall in his 30s, approached from a black-and-white SUV with flashing red and blue lights.
The driver used bear spray when the suspect reached into the car and then escaped to safety without further injury. Authorities confirmed an active investigation is underway into the incident, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office on their Facebook page.
What Happened
In its post, the sheriff's office noted that its unmarked vehicles are equipped with emergency lights and sirens that follow California legislation and vehicle code, and reminded the public that deputies must be able to produce law enforcement credentials and clearly state the reason for a stop. Investigators described the suspect as unshaven and roughly 6 feet tall, and they are asking anyone who may have seen the encounter to share information with detectives.
Legal Context and Safety Tips
Per California's Vehicle Code §40800, as published by Justia, officers assigned primarily to traffic enforcement are expected to wear distinctive uniforms and use distinctively marked vehicles, a limitation meant to guard against impersonation and preserve prosecutorial evidence. The California DMV driver's handbook advises motorists to stop in a well-lit public area, keep doors locked and call 911 to verify a stop if they feel it is suspicious, rather than pulling into a remote location, and that guidance appears in the DMV's driver handbook.
How To Help
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Flores at 530-642-4710 or [email protected], according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say tips could be critical to identifying the subject and confirming whether this was an impersonation or another crime.
