Alleged impersonation of the police at the Ramada Inn in Tampa
A man pretended to be a police officer and confronted a woman, according to Tampa, Florida police.
They claim it happened on the night of February 22 at a Ramada Inn on North West Shore Boulevard.
“The suspect, seen in the video, showed the adult female victim a badge before dragging her into a stairwell and exposing himself to it,” officials wrote. “The victim, who was not injured, pushed the suspect away before escaping to safety. Surveillance video shows the suspect exiting a stairwell in the hotel lobby immediately after the incident, before heading north onto the property next door.”
You can see the footage above. Officials have frozen the man they believe to be the perpetrator. The video shows him stepping through the hotel’s automatic doors and turning a corner.
The man was described as white or Hispanic with a possible Cuban accent, police said. He appeared to be in his 30s, they said. He was 5 feet 10 to 6 feet tall. He sported facial hair and was muscular with a stomach, police said. He was wearing a long-sleeved pink shirt and blue jeans, officials said.
“Our investigators will work tirelessly to apprehend the suspect in this case before he can harass others,” said interim police chief Lee Bercaw. “It is a crime to impersonate a police officer and we take every report of it very seriously. At any time, our community may ask a Tampa Police Officer for identifying information and call our non-emergency number to verify the information provided if they believe someone is impersonating an officer.
Police released tips they believe would protect people when dealing with someone posing as a police officer:
If you think someone is posing as a police officer:
• Ask for a name, ID number and to see their identification.
• Do not be afraid to inform the officer that you intend to call the dispatcher (non-Tampa emergency 813.231.6130) to verify the officer’s identity.
• Call 911 if you think the person is posing as a police officer.
• Trust your instincts.If you suspect someone who is running you over is posing as a police officer:
• Find a safe place to stop
• Signal your intent and slow down (activate your hazard lights)
• Call 911 to confirm they are an officer; Make sure you give the caller your location, vehicle description and license plate number
• Keep your doors locked while the dispatcher checks your details
• Ask the officer for their name and ID number and confirm with 911.
Do you have a tip we should know? [email protected]
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/man-pretended-to-be-cop-then-pulled-woman-into-stairwell-and-exposed-himself-to-her-police/ Alleged impersonation of the police at the Ramada Inn in Tampa
