SAPD warns of man posing as cop

SAN ANTONIO — Officials have issued an advisory about a police imposter who conducted a traffic stop.

The man recently attacked a woman in her late 20s after pulling her over on the North Side, near Broadway and Loop 410, according to the San Antonio Police Department.

He was driving a dark-colored sedan with red and blue lights on the dashboard when he pulled her over shortly after midnight Thursday, according Public Information Officer Javier Salazar.

The man was in uniform, but police said his insignia did not appear authentic and did not resemble SAPD's or that of any agency the woman recognized. Salazar said SAPD uniforms have a prominent stitching of the Alamo on the arm patch.

The man ordered the woman to get out of her vehicle, attacked her and tried to force her into his vehicle. She escaped with minor injuries, police said.

Salazar said it's the only reported incident of an imposter officer recently.

Motorists are urged by police to take the following steps if they are being pulled over:

Slow down

Turn on flashers

Acknowledge the officer with a hand signal

Keep driving to a well-lit, populated area

Don't exit the car unless you are sure the person is an officer.

The department has told officers to recognize those steps.

Salazar said SAPD is being mindful that some people might be understandably leery of pulling over for traffic stops until the imposter is caught.

He recommends anyone questioning an officer's identity to request to see their police ID card or call SAPD immediately.

He also encourages anyone who might have seen the incident to contact the Special Victim's Unit at 210-207-2313.

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