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What to do if you’re being pulled over by a phony cop

The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department received a call just after midnight on Tuesday morning from a woman who reported she had been pulled-over by a m...

MORRISON, Illinois — The Whiteside County Sheriff's Department received a call just after midnight on Tuesday morning, October 25, 2016, from a woman who reported she had been pulled-over by a male; the incident resulted in no injuries, but deputies have advice if it happened to you.

It was reported to the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department that the man - driving a dark colored, unmarked car with red and blue lights on the interior of the vehicle - approached the driver's side window and shined a flashlight on the female driver. It happened in rural Whiteside County near the intersection of Route 84 and U.S. Highway 30.

"She didn’t feel comfortable at that time. She said she was going to call 9-1-1, the person then went back to their squad to supposedly retrieve a badge but then they took off from the area," said Lieutenant John Booker of the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department.

"The one thing we want everyone to know is, if at anytime they feel they’re being stopped and maybe it isn’t a police officer, the best thing to do is call 9-1-1," said Booker, who has been a police officer for over 20 years.

Booker says to tell the 9-1-1 agency that you're being pulled-over and give them your location. The agency is then able to check to see if there is an actual officer in your area.

"At that point, [the 9-1-1 agency] will let the officer know that the person doesn't feel comfortable stopping there and they can tell them where to go and the stop can be done there in a safe and well-lit area," said Booker, suggesting a gas station or convenient store as examples of well-lit areas.

If your phone isn't working, but you sense something is wrong, drive at a normal speed to a well-lit spot, even if you have to drive for several miles.

"I would never feel bad if you're legitimately concerned for your safety. If it's an officer and you're not speeding, he may come along the side of you and you would see it's a marked squad car," said Booker, adding that officers also have special license plates that may assure a driver of an officer's legitimacy.

If you are pulled-over and realize that it is an illegitimate officer, Booker says to get yourself out of the situation right away.

"Leave the area immediately. Put the car in drive, take off, and get out of the area," said Booker, adding that if your phone is working to call 9-1-1 and report it right away so that nearby law enforcement have a better shot and apprehending the criminal.

Booker says even if it is a completely legitimate traffic stop and officer, a lot of times they're not going to stop in a dark area because it's a safety concern for the officer too.

A suspect for Tuesday morning's incident has not been apprehended as of Wednesday, October 26, according to the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department.

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