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Neighbors On Edge After Police Impersonator Tries To Pull Over Woman In Ceres

CERES (CBS13) - A 29-year-old woman said someone pretending to be a police officer tried to pull her over, but she knew something was wrong and called 911.

Turns out it wasn't an officer, but she told investigators it certainly looked like it - which has neighbors in the neighborhood concerned.

"When you see flashing lights, instantly you want to pull over," said Geraldean Miller, who lives in the area.

She said the thought of someone impersonating a police officer never crossed her mind.

"I don't know what I would do. My first instinct would be, 'Oh my God, I better pull over,'" Miller said.

Ceres police said a 29-year-old woman was driving on Morgan Road and Whitmore when she saw flashing blue and red lights in her rear view mirror.

"Something in that environment caught her attention and she did the right thing, she called the police department," said Sgt. Jose Berber with Ceres police.

Turns out her instincts may have saved her. Investigators said someone posing as an officer attempted to make the traffic stop, but she called 911 instead and kept driving.

"She's very upset and very scared," Berber said.

Police have several unmarked cars with lights, but if it's truly an officer making a stop they'll switch on the sirens.

"By law we are mandated to activate our sirens, just like in this case she didn't hear a siren therefore she felt that this may not be an officer," Berber said.

This is the first case they've had in years and want drivers to know how to protect themselves.

"If you feel like it's not an officer, don't pull over keep driving, maintain the speed if you can you can use your cell phone to call 911. It's considered an emergency," he said.

They are looking for a suspicious charcoal gray Chevy sedan with tinted windows. If you have any information call police.

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