By Holly Johnson, The Arizona Republic
Police are investigating a pair of robberies in which thieves posing as police officers stopped motorists in west Phoenix and pilfered their belongings.
Flashing fake silver badges and driving white or silver sedans, the suspected robbers pulled over vehicles by signaling the driver to stop. Then they identified themselves as police officers in English and Spanish. The suspects, both armed with handguns, then proceeded to search the drivers and take their wallets and jewelry, police said.
On one occasion, the suspects dropped the victim off at Phoenix Baptist Hospital and told him to wait for a sergeant to fingerprint him.
Phoenix police Detective Tony Morales said the two thieves did not affiliate themselves with any particular law-enforcement agency and weren’t wearing uniforms.
The thieves have primarily targeted Spanish-speaking drivers, Morales said.
“We’ve seen this in the past,” Morales said. “The victims have a fear of law enforcement to start with, so they won’t question it if they’re stopped.”
Morales said nearly all Phoenix patrol cars are fully marked and that it’s “very unlikely” unmarked vehicles, which are usually reserved for detectives, would stop motorists for traffic violations. Unmarked vehicles are distinguishable by red lights and sirens in the interior.
“We want to make the public aware that this is going on,” Morales said. “If you’re stopped and there’s any doubt at all, get to a public place or call 911.”