Police in Clarksville have been looking for two men posing as police officers and pulling over area drivers.
The department said it received at least three reports from people claiming they were stopped and were asked in some cases for drugs or money. Even two off-duty Montgomery County Sheriff Deputies fell victim to the suspects.
A spokesperson for Clarksville police said the men were using bogus reasons for pulling over unsuspecting victims.
"Some of the [phrases] they used were 'speeding a little,'" Officer Natalie Hall said. "We'll know right away [if drivers] were speeding or not. We'll tell them 'you were speeding'"
According to reports, the men were possibly driving a white four door Pontiac Grand AM or Grand Prix. They used red and blue lights that were approximately the size of a cell phone. Clarksville police cruisers only use blue lights.
Officials with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, however, said their deputies do use red and blue lights, but not the ones the suspects were using.
Authorities are warning drivers to be careful. In some instances, the suspects asked drivers to move to more secluded areas. That's something police will never ask drivers to do.
"It is a big crime because it can lead to even worse crimes such as what we've seen in the past: robberies, rapes, murders. It's happened with police impersonators all across the U.S.," Hall said.
Police said the suspects were wearing T-shirts and appeared to be in their mid-20s with closely cropped haircuts. It's unclear at this point if either suspect was armed.
Clarksville Police are urging drivers to always ask for department identification if they are weary about a traffic stop. Officers in Clarksville should have rounded badges and Montgomery County Sheriff Deputies have 7-pointed star badges.
Dispatchers can also help drivers who are suspicious.
"The dispatchers are going to see what time it is, and they'll be able to confirm if an officer told them they were going to be out on a traffic stop," Hall said.
If you know anything about the crimes or believe you were a victim, call the Crimestoppers tip-line at 931-645-TIPS.
