Authorities receive report of police impersonator

A man believed to be impersonating a police officer might be patrolling the streets of Bloomington.

At about 3:45 a.m. Friday, a man told Bloomington police he was sitting in his car in the parking lot of Varsity Gate apartments. He was there to pick up his girlfriend when a male exited a model police car, possibly a Ford Crown Victoria.

Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Dana Cole said the impersonator approached the man’s driver-side window.

The impersonator, described as a black male with short hair and medium build, asked the man to  produce his license and registration, Cole said.

The man later told police he was uncomfortable and something “wasn’t right.” He reportedly began to roll up the window when the impersonator, dressed in a SWAT vest and white tank top underneath, stuck his hand in the window. Cole said the driver’s  girlfriend got into the car, and the two drove off.

The suspect allegedly followed in his model police car. As the two vehicles drove west along the Ind. 45/46 Bypass, they came to a halt when they reached a stoplight near the intersection of the Bypass and College Avenue.

Cole said the two drivers stared at each other, and when the light turned green, the police car turned south onto College Avenue.

The victim continued to drive west along the bypass, and he called 911 and met with Bloomington police at a nearby McDonald’s, 1919 S. Walnut St.

Impersonating a public servant is a felony.

— Michael Majchrowicz