The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office has received information regarding an ongoing investigation by the Tombstone Marshal’s Office. This investigation centers on a suspicious subject who may be impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer in the Sierra Vista/Tombstone area.
Reports received state that a light skinned heavy set Hispanic male subject, between 30-40 years of age, driving a white in color crew cab Ford truck with emergency lights on the dash has reportedly stopped at least one female subject who was travelling east on Charleston Road before pulling over at the town limits of Tombstone.
The 16 year old female advised that she was travelling from Sierra Vista to Tombstone on Charleston Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. late last week when she observed a white truck coming towards her. The female advised that she observed the male driver look at her as he passed and then turn around and begin travelling eastbound behind her. The female advised that there was another vehicle behind her at the time, and the suspicious truck passed that vehicle before pulling behind her with emergency lights flashing on the dashboard.
The female advised that she pulled to the side of the road and the male subject exited his vehicle and approached her passenger side window with a handgun in his hand and held near his leg. The male subject was not wearing any uniform and did not identify himself. The male subject asked the female if she had been drinking as she appeared to be driving in and out of her lane and she was using her vehicle brakes a lot. The female advised the man that she had not been drinking and she was using her brakes due to the road conditions and varying speed limits.
The male subject asked for her license, vehicle registration, and insurance before going back to his truck with the documentation. The male subject then came back to the passenger side window and returned her paperwork to her before leaving.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public to be aware of this situation, and if you see a vehicle matching this description with emergency lights that is attempting to pull you over you should call 9-1-1 and find a safe place to pull off of the roadway and in a safe area if possible. You should continue to stay on the telephone while you ask for identification specifically if the person you are dealing with is not wearing a uniform.
Sheriff Dannels said today, “The Sheriff’s Office personnel in a marked unit will have on a uniform or they will have visible identification if they are in plain clothes and/or are in an unmarked vehicle. As you are approached, our Deputies will identify themselves and speak with you about the reason for the contact or traffic stop. We want to keep our citizens safe and we need your help to find and stop anyone who would be acting in this manner or portraying themselves to be a law enforcement officer.”