Blue light bandits stop woman on US Highway 301
FOUR OAKS, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Johnston County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a 41-year-old Four Oaks woman reported two men in a car equipped with flashing blue lights stopped her along Highway 301 Monday night.
The victim said she was headed home around 10:30 p.m. when the car came up behind her in the 8000 block of US 301 South.
She told deputies that, at first, she planned to drive to a well-lit area before stopping, but then the car also began flashing its headlights, so she stopped.
That's when two men got out of the black-colored car with black wheels. One came to the driver's door and the other to the passenger door.
The woman had her doors locked and her windows rolled up. When she saw the men were not wearing law enforcement uniforms, she refused to roll down her window.
The men then went to the rear of her car and began talking. That's when one of them pulled back his coat as if he were reaching for a weapon.
The woman then hit the gas and took off. She stopped at the nearest home with the outside lights turned on and the men did not follow.
The suspects were described as black males with dreadlocks. They both had on police-style hats and black coats.
Johnston County Chief Deputy Bengie Gaddis told ABC11 the woman did just about everything right. If it were you behind the wheel, and you're unsure of whether the blue lights belong to real officers, he suggests you keep driving, turn on your flashers, and call 911.
"When you speak to a dispatcher, just let them know that there's someone behind you with a blue light and that you are on the way to a well-lit area before you stop," he said.
At that point, Gaddis said, the dispatcher should know whether the officer behind you is legitimate.
"Of course, we don't want anyone to run from law enforcement, but we do understand the dangers right now of people impersonating police officers," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff's Office at (919) 989-5000.
With information from Mickey Lamm/WTSB Radio
