Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

ASP Give Warnings On Stopping For Blue Lights

Motorists who see an unmarked car behind them with a flashing blue light on the dashboard "should use reasonable caution when stopping" because of the threat of the pursuing vehicle being driven by a man posing as a policeman, Arkansas State Police Maj. Dan Oldham, commander of the Highway Patrol Divison, said January 23.

Three females have been raped on eastern Arkansas roads in the last 14 months.

In each case, the females were driving cars at night and stopped beside the road when they saw a blue light in their review mirror. They were forced into the fake policeman's car and raped later in the car on isolated roads.

So far, the rapits has only targeted females who are alone at night. No arrest has been made.

Although these crimes have been committed in eastern Arkansas, the following tips are good advise for women in this area.

Here are tips on avoiding confrontation with men who masquerade as policemen and try to stop people on highways, Oldham said:

• When going on a road trip, telephone ahead to your destination, detailing your departure time, the highways you'll be traveling and expected time of arrival.

• If possible, travel during the day with an adult companion and carry a cellular telephone. Always keep your doors locked and windows rolled up.

  "It is not unreasonable for a motorist, especially a woman, to keep her window rolled up and the door locked until she is sure that the officer is who he says he is," Oldham said. "In any case, if he is an Arkansas State Trooper, he will identify himself with an identification card with his picture on it and with his official badge. The trooper's uniform and his ID card will have the State Police star insignia on them."

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times: What town did you just pass through and how far am I out of town? What highway am I on? What kind of vehicle is it that's following me so closely? Where am I? In an emergency, these and other questions will be asked by the police dispatcher and must be answered when you call 911 for police assistance.

• If the pursuing car is a fully marked State Police car with flashing blue lights on top and a siren and the driver is dressed as a State Trooper, drivers should pull over in a safe location and wait for the trooper to identify himself as he approaches the vehicle.

  "Under no circumstances should a person fail to heed a siren and blue lights or as an excuse the present concern over police impostors to try to cirumvent a lawful stop by State Police Troopers," Oldham said.

• Do not try to outrun the car with the flashing blue light at night (or any time).

  "Just drive at a resonable speed to the nearest well-lighted area where there are other people, like a convenience store or service station, and get their attention. The trooper will understand your concern for your safety; but if it isn't a policeman behind you, then, hopefully, he will turn away and not try to hurt you with witnesses around."

• To report anyone posing as a policeman, call the State Police at 501-296-1860, 24 hours a day.