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Imposter poses as police officer

From staff reports

BELPRE — Authorities in Washington County are searching for a man accused of impersonating a police officer and pulling over at least two women.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Washington County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a joint investigation of a middle-aged white man using a flashing light and spotlight. According to a post on the Belpre City Schools Facebook page warning about the situation and citing the patrol, the incidents occurred on Ohio 339 near milepost 14 and Ohio 7 near Kraton Polymers.

The vehicle used was a white, “muscle car-type,” possibly a Dodge Charger, said Sgt. Scott Buxton, with the patrol’s Marietta post. The driver was a middle-aged white male who was not wearing a uniform, he said.

While the car reportedly had a flashing red light and a spotlight, it was not marked as a law enforcement vehicle and the suspect was not wearing a uniform, Buxton said. Local agencies would not pull someone over in an unmarked car while out of uniform, he said. If pulled over and approached by someone acting as though they are a law enforcement officer but not in uniform, “I wouldn’t be afraid to drive away,” Buxton said. The post from Belpre City Schools recommended dialing #677 or 911 if pulled over by someone in an unmarked car and not wearing a uniform.

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