Blue Light Bandit

“Blue Light Bandit” Causes Concern WCAB News reported yesterday the McDowell County Sheriff’s Department is warning of an individual impersonating a law enforcement officer going as far as to pull a vehicle over then searching the driver and the vehicle. And if that is not scary enough the sheriff’s department stated the impersonator had a gun, handcuffs and a taser. Add another scary point, the handcuffs and taser including other law enforcement equipment except the firearm can be purchased on Amazon. People who in the past impersonated law enforcement officers were called “Blue Light Bandits”.

Normally these Bandits targeted women drivers, especially those traveling alone. Since

the sheriff’s department did not state whether the driver was male or female, WCAB

news reporter, Lou Gilliam, reached out to local law enforcement with questions

regarding what to do if an unmarked car is trying to pull you over.

Taking into consideration the Bandit possibly was using the outdated “Bubble Light”.

This was the single light on top of patrol cars in years past. Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg

provided a picture of the lights Rutherford County uses in their patrol cars. Both he and

Spindale Chief Chad Nazelrod stated if you are ever in doubt or suspicious of a car

trying to pull you over do the following:

Turn on your hazard lights

Slow down

Call 911 to confirm that is a legitimate officer behind you

Proceed to a well-lighted populated area.