FILE PHOTO

(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

Police are urging caution after a suspect elaborately impersonated police and tried to stop a vehicle travelling on Highway 33 between Rock Creek and Kelowna Sunday. 

RCMP still don't have a suspect but say the intended target did the right thing by refusing to leave his vehicle and fleeing.

It all happened at roughly 8:30 p.m. March 21. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey said the man's family members called police to report the incident after it unfolded. The driver was in the Westridge area when a white pickup truck pulled out behind him, followed him then activated red and blue lights from the grill of the truck. The driver pulled to the side of the roadway and the suspect exited his vehicle carrying a flashlight.  

"Although the victim was ordered to exit his vehicle during the interaction, he trusted his instincts, distracted the suspect and managed to flee towards Kelowna," O’Donaghey said in the release. "The suspect reportedly followed the victim for several kilometers before pulling off the highway. The victim contacted a family member when he entered into cell service range, who in turn reported the incident to police."

The unknown suspect was described as an older man with messy blonde hair, roughly six feet tall or a bit taller. He was clean shaven and seen wearing a white dress shirt, with a dark pair of casual pants. Police couldn't find the suspect vehicle in the area. 

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Midway RCMP at 250-449-2244.

RCMP offer the following tips to motorists who believe they are being stopped by a non-legitimate police vehicle:

• Slow down, drive in a safe manner to the nearest well-lit, populated area.
• If this is not possible, do the following:
• Lock all doors, pull over safely and leave your vehicle running;
• If you have a cellular phone, take it out immediately, hold it in full view of the person who has pulled you over and call 911;
• Calmly give the 911 operator your location and express your concern;
• Ask the 911 operator / police dispatcher if they have had any communication with a police officer about a traffic stop in your area and ask them to relay your concerns to that law enforcement officer;
• Tell the officer, through a cracked window and locked door, that you plan to cooperate, but you have heard about police impersonators. Indicate that you are concerned for your safety, and that you are verifying the police contact through dispatch;
• If you remain uncertain that the person who pulled you over is in fact a police officer, ask him/her if you can proceed to a more populated area. If he/she agrees, tell the 911 dispatcher where you are heading to and proceed.

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