State police: Fake Naugatuck cop sexually assaulted woman he pulled over

Staff reports

NAUGATUCK -- A man who police say disguised himself as a Naugatuck police officer sexually assaulted a woman Wednesday who he stopped and pulled over in what she believed was a traffic stop.

The assault took place around noon in the area of Gorman and Lewis streets, according to State Police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance.

The man, who police have not yet identified but said does not much the description of any Naugatuck officer, was driving a brown or tan Ford Crown Victoria with blue and red flashing lights on the dashboard, Vance said. The suspect used the lights to pull the victim, who was driving a green Jeep, over and then approached her vehicle, dressed like a police officer. According to Vance, the suspect was wearing dark navy blue pants and a navy blue polo shirt. Above the pocket of the shirt, "Naugatuck" was embroidered in an arch and straight across it "police" was embroidered, with a white T-shirt underneath. He was wearing a watch on his left arm and had a utility belt with a flash light and a pouch that appeared to hold handcuffs. He was wearing white Adidas sneakers and black frame sunglasses with multi-colored lenses.

Vance described the man as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, clean shaven with hairy blond arms, with blond curly hair swept to the side, and a big bulbous nose. The suspect is described as average build and about 6" to 6'2" tall. He is "not overly tan, but not pale," Vance said.

Police said the Crown Victoria is not a Naugatuck Police vehicle.

The State Police Central District Major Crime Squad is conduction the criminal investigation at the request of the Naugatuck Police and Waterbury State's Attorney's office.

Vance said anyone who may have seen the suspect or the victim's vehicles anywhere in the Gorman Street and Lewis Street area of Naugatuck around noon Wednesday or anyone with information is asked to call State Police at Troop I at 203-393-4200 or 1-800-842-0200. All calls will be kept confidential, Vance said.