Cleveland police have issued a warning to drivers about a group posing as police officers, conducting traffic stops, and then robbing victims at gunpoint.
Sunday marked the most recent occurrence, according to FOX 8 Cleveland. A motorist was traveling along Broadway Avenue in the Slavic Village section of the city at 6:20 p.m. when an unmarked black SUV with tinted windows and flashing red and blue lights attempted to pull the victim’s vehicle aside.
According to reports, the police impersonator was armed with a firearm and wearing a ballistic vest. Due to a succession of severe robberies perpetrated by individuals acting as police officers, the witness dialed 911 as instructed by the police.
FOX 8 reports that when the victim began driving toward the Third District Police Station in Cleveland, the impostor stopped following the vehicle.
It is thought that Sunday’s occurrence is the fifth of its sort in the past month.
Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia, a police spokesperson, stated, “If you are pulled over by an unmarked car and are concerned, you can simply phone 911 and the operator will be able to tell you if that is a Cleveland police vehicle or not.”
Four Black men are suspected to be the suspects. The SUV used in the alleged offenses is not a Cleveland Police Department vehicle. Cleveland police say all of their vehicles have been accounted for. In certain instances, the culprits have stolen not only the drivers’ belongings but also their vehicles.
“These severe robberies have occurred on both the East and West Sides, so they’re happening all over the city, and we don’t really have a target area,” Ciaccia said.
There have been no reported injuries in any of the instances.
Call the Cleveland Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463 if you can assist in identifying the suspects impersonating police officers.
