Fake cop,
real crime

The Ford Crown Victoria isn’t the fastest car around, but add a siren and some flashing lights, and speed concerns are compensated for by the fact that other motorists will get out of your way. Whether or not a Milwaukee teen had thought that when he kitted his Crown Victoria to resemble an unmarked Milwaukee police car isn’t known, but he certainly hadn’t thought about what would happen when he blazed by the real police.

The vehicle, bedecked with red and blue interior lights, a PA system, siren and bars on the rear window, was spotted by officers as it sped by them in full response mode. The officers radioed dispatch to find out if their assistance might be needed. When dispatch showed no knowledge of any problems, officers chased the vehicle down only to find a dopey 19-year-old man at the wheel. An 18-year-old woman was riding shotgun.

Investigators are trying to find out if there have been any recent crimes involving phony cops. An unconfirmed report says the teen pulled over another vehicle earlier that night. For now, he faces nine months in jail and $10,000 fine for the misdemeanour charge of impersonating a police officer.

by Scott Saxon