CARSON CITY — A concerned motorist notified Nevada Highway Patrol troopers Thursday, May 9 that a white Nissan Frontier pick-up truck was operating with red and blue flashing lights and using the lights to move vehicles over and out of the way.

The Nissan Frontier was observed traveling with law enforcement emergency lighting on US-395 from Washoe Valley south of Bowers Mansion Road and into Carson City and into Dayton while moving traffic out of its way and guiding them onto the right shoulder.

Troopers located the Nissan Frontier and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Jay Harlen Jeffers, age 79 of Sparks. Jeffers was arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer, reckless driving, operating a vehicle with front-facing red lights, and displaying blue lights on a non-emergency vehicle. He was booked into the Carson City Sheriff’s Office jail.

Mr. Jeffers had a police chaplain badge and identification card from the Sparks Police Department on his person. However, it was determined that he had no police authority and no authorization by any agency to have red and blue lighting in his personal vehicle.

“The Sparks Police Department has been made aware of the circumstances involving the arrest of Mr. Jeffers,” said Sparks Police Department Deputy Chief Pete Krall. “Mr. Jeffers was not authorized to have emergency lights or sirens in his personal vehicle. We are continuing to work with the Nevada Highway Patrol concerning this ongoing investigation.”

Criminal behavior of this sort undermines public confidence and motorists need to feel certain that any vehicle operating with flashing red and blue lights belongs to an official law enforcement agency. The Nevada Highway Patrol and all its law enforcement partners, including the District Attorney’s offices, feel very strongly about enforcing this law to its fullest extent. Impersonating a peace officer in any capacity is a serious crime. Per NRS 484A.480, it is illegal to have a front-facing flashing red light and/or display blue lights on a non-emergency vehicle.

If you feel that you’re being stopped by an unmarked vehicle that is not authorized to do so, Nevada Highway Patrol recommends calling 9-1-1 or NHP to confirm its legitimacy with Dispatch while driving to a well-lit and populated public place before stopping. NHP Case No. 190500663.