Chicago Tribune
A man was charged with impersonating a police officer after he pulled over a real police officer Wednesday.
Paul Leibas, 18, of the 4300 block of West 59th Street, was charged after the off-duty officer arrested him around 6:45 p.m. in the 4300 block of West 55th Street in the West Elsdon neighborhood.
Leibas was driving a Ford Crown Victoria, the same model used by police. The car’s headlights had been modified to flash alternately, police spokesman Pat Camden said.
After he pulled the officer over, he waited for the officer to get out of the car and come back to him. The officer was immediately suspicious and asked to see identification.
Camden said police suspect that Leibas was trying to extort money from motorists, and his bungled attempt Wednesday was probably not the first time he had tried the scam.
Police are asking anyone who was victimized by Leibas to call detectives at 312-747-8384. The gold car was a 2000 model with Illinois license plate 576 2123.
Police found two pellet guns and a scanner at Leibas’ home.