Fake police attempt to pull over motorists in Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights police are reporting two instances Sunday of people in a sport utility vehicle with a siren impersonating police officers and pulling over vehicles, police said.
The perpetrators were probably the same people in both cases, police Cmdr. Kenneth Galinski said Monday. Nothing about the way the men acted resembles police procedure, said Galinski, who is in charge of investigations for the Arlington Heights Police Department.
"Yelling out the window and using a hand-held strobe are rogue," he said.
No suspects are in custody, and Galinski said he cannot guess what the men's motives were. No one was injured and no demands for money were made.
"I tell my family if they are pulled over by an unmarked car to try to pull into a well-lighted area, roll down their windows just enough to ask for identification, including picture, and call 911 immediately to ask whether there is an unmarked car that has stopped a vehicle," said Galinski.
It is important to do this when approached by anyone who claims to be with authorities or utilities, he said.
About 1:45 a.m. Sunday, the driver of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee, possibly a 2004 model, with blue strobe light and siren, attempted to pull over the victim by cutting his vehicle off at East Hintz Road at North Buffalo Grove Road. The driver then pulled behind the victim, yelling "pull over." When the victim failed to stop, the offender threw a glass bottle striking the victim's vehicle. The driver was described as a black male, about 20 years old, with short hair, accompanied by two or three other males, police said.
About 22 hours later, at 11:47 p.m., the driver of a vehicle described as a tan Jeep that was possibly a Cherokee and with a siren, pulled over a black 1998 Chevy Cavalier at East Phelps and North Waterman streets. The driver walked up to the door of the Cavalier, identified himself as a Prospect Heights officer and asked the driver to exit the vehicle. The driver asked for the offender's badge, which caused the man to return to his vehicle and leave the area.
The driver was descrived as a black male, 5-foot-7, 200 pounds, 20-30 years old, clean shaved, short hair, wearing a white T-shirt with blue markings and carrying a flashlight, police said.
Anyone having information about the incidents can submit an anonymous text tip by texting the keyword 847AHPD and a message to 847411 (tip411) or can call Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at (847) 590-STOP. Callers are guaranteed anonymity and may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.