Man impersonated police officer for shakedown, North Van RCMP warn

NORTH VANCOUVER — North Vancouver RCMP are warning the public after a man impersonating an officer conducted a bogus traffic stop and attempted to shake down a local driver.

The incident happened around 3:30 a.m. on Monday. The driver was headed east on 13th Street near Moody Avenue when he saw flashing blue and red lights coming from the dash on the vehicle behind him.

The driver pulled over and a man wearing a vest and hat with “POLICE” printed on them approached, identifying himself as “NVPD.” (There is no NVPD police force.)

Although he wasn’t wearing a fully equipped duty belt, the suspect did appear to have a baton in a tool belt, said Cpl. Melissa Jongema, North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson.

The suspect told the driver he’d been pulled over for “using GPS on his cellphone,” and demanded payment on the spot for the violation, using a debit/ credit machine. The driver then wisely realized something was highly suspicious, left the scene and called police.

“It is alarming to us anytime someone pretends to be a police officer, especially in our situation where that person tried to use that position to take money from someone,” Jongema said. “Police officers do not accept payment for violation tickets at traffic stops. If you are pulled over and payment for a fine is demanded, please immediately report the incident to police.”

The real cops are hoping the public can help them track down the fake one. Police describe the suspect as a white male between 25 and 30 years old. He is about five-foot-nine, with an average build. Underneath his vest, he was wearing a black round-neck T-shirt, as well as navy cargo pants. He was driving a navy or dark grey Chevrolet Tahoe.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact North Vancouver RCMP at 604985-1311.