DENVER, CO – With all that’s going on regarding COVID-19, you’d think people already had enough irrational things to worry about or deal with. Well, apparently we can add individuals posing as police officers to that list of worries.
In various areas of Colorado, reports have been coming in about people being stopped by folks claiming to be authority figures of sorts, mostly in relation to enforcing COVID-19 mandates.
Fake police at ‘coronavirus roadblock’ warn drivers to stay home, Colorado cops say https://t.co/t4Iis6N4ay
— McClatchyDC (@McClatchyDC) March 30, 2020
Yet, numerous departments have come forward and stated that these stops have been faker than the NAACP’s Rachel Dolezal’s implied racial identity pre-2015.
Crystal McCoy, who serves as the Public Information Officer with the Aurora Police Department, addressed the ongoing debacle:
“It’s frightening. It’s very frightening because we don’t really know what their intentions are. We don’t know who they are.
We realize it’s scary for the community and it’s also very alarming for us.”
A concerning notion indeed, as there’s been no endgame identified by these impostors. Are they trying to gather sensitive information? Perhaps putting a face and name to an address they intend to burglarize at a later date?
Whatever the motivation, it cannot be good.
Fake COVID-19 roadblocks reported in Colorado, police impersonators increase https://t.co/UPMFcUcHHU via @outthereco
— Eagle County Sheriff’s Office (@EagleCountySO) March 30, 2020
One incident was reported on March 27th to the Greeley Police Department.
Apparently, there were reports coming in about a roadblock established where drivers were getting questioned about potential violations of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order.
Men were positioned throughout this roadblock, warning drivers of possible fines and citations for failing to adhere to the mandates in place.
When the GPD were made aware of the blockage established on the West end of Greeley, they stated that absolutely no officers were dispatched to that location nor was there any type of ordained operation sanctioned to do such.
“Police in Aurora, Greeley and Erie have been in contact about similar police impersonator cases, KDVR-TV reported Sunday. “It’s very frightening because we don’t really know what their intentions are,” Crystal McCoy of the Aurora Police Department said.” https://t.co/rVWrpAMT8J
— 99.44% Pure ADOS🇺🇲 (@BlissfulBeauty) March 30, 2020
It was further noted that no said operation was in place by Weld County Sheriff Deputies or Colorado State Troopers.
All in all, it’s a phony operation.
The same day, the Erie Police Department was notified of someone playing dress up as police officer too.
While a woman was headed to work in the early morning hours of March 27th, she was pulled over by a black car adorning flashing lights similar to emergency ones.
The impostor had inquired as to where she was headed and then instructed her to drive home.
In a disturbing turn of events, this faux-police officer actually followed the woman home. Both the EPD and the Boulder County officials stated that there was no reported traffic stop conducted in the area mentioned by the female driver.
Fake police set up roadblock, stop drivers during stay-at-home order in Colorado https://t.co/gjDQhe4UAH
— Santa Cruz Sentinel (@scsentinel) March 30, 2020
Days earlier, on March 25th, another woman was pulled over by a Crown Vic (one of the most recognizable LEO squad car models used) at around midnight near East 6th Avenue and Havana Street.
McCoy described the scenario that played out during the late-night stop:
“She was approached by what she described was a well-groomed young man, 6-foot-tall, 150 pounds and he was wearing a pressed uniform. She did take note though he did not have a badge or patches or name tag.”
The Crown Vic was outfitted with flashing red-and-blue lights, adding a degree of authenticity to the encounter.
Fake police in Greeley direct driver into roadblock, question her about #coronavirus stay-at-home order #Colorado https://t.co/aGzseWEFgx
— Raymond E. Foster (@policeofficer) March 30, 2020
Once again, this was a case of someone asking why they were driving while a stay-at-home order was in effect:
“He did ask her for her driver’s license and she gave it to him. He gave it back and told her she was free to leave. That’s the most concerning thing. It has her name, potentially her current address, her date of birth other things on there.
It is scary that someone else has them and we don’t know what they’re up to in this.”
The Aurora Police have been in contact with the EPD and the GPD considering the proximity and timetable between these reported incidents. Considering the similarities, the three departments are trying to determine if they’re interconnected.
McCoy wanted to stress that his department is not in the business of randomly pulling cars over to ask about issues related to the stay-at-home order.
McCoy offered the following words to those concerned they’re getting stopped by non-police officials:
“Follow your senses to keep yourself safe.”
Locals have been advised that if something does not seem right, for drivers to activate their hazard lights so as to acknowledge a stop, and continue driving to the nearest police or fire station to commence the stop.
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