Bogus cops range from ridiculous to scary

December 18, 10:12 AMScam ExaminerKarin Malchow

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On December 14, a Texas man saw flashing emergency lights in his rearview mirror, but called the police instead of pulling over.  With his assistance, police located the other driver, a police impersonator carrying a badly altered Chipotle gift card as a police ID.  He reportedly admitted he was "infatuated with police."

This statement indicates he is one of the police impersonators who play dress-up for attention or gratification, maybe working out some personal authority issues.  Expressing his fixation is a third-degree felony in Texas.

Putting aside bizarre offenders who mainly undermine public trust, police impersonators also commit nefarious crimes.  Serial killer Ted Bundy sometimes approached his victims pretending to be a police officer.  In a UK report this week, an 89-year-old man was beaten and robbed after opening his door to phony police.

The 2007 case of conman Henry Terry takes police impersonation to the extreme. 

With Terry's uniforms, forms, identification and equipment, even his roommate thought he was a policeman.  He set up a phony police substation where he interrogated people before extorting money. 

His arrest occurred when a neighbor reported him for commandeering the neighbor's car for "police business", then selling it.  Authorities later added charges of rape, child molestation and animal abuse (for setting a cat on fire), committed while impersonating an officer. 

After pleading guilty in May 2008, Terry received a 20 year (maximum time served) sentence.  September 2008 New York Supreme Court documents suggest Terry is appealing the sentence.

Don't be paranoid, but don't throw caution out the window when confronted by police.  In fact, don't open the car window or front door until verifying authority.  Check the car, uniform, and type of flashing lights for anything amiss.  If you're suspicious or alone, call 911 or the local station for confirmation.

At the very least, ask to see an ID, if only to make sure it doesn't have a Chipotle logo.