Driver escapes fake cop attack with bear spray in El Dorado County
(FOX40.COM) — The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding information after a man posing as a law enforcement officer tried to pull a driver from a vehicle.
The incident occurred on Feb. 3 between 8 and 9 p.m. near China Hill Road and Highway 49, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. The driver was pulled over by a black-and-white SUV with flashing red and blue indicator lights and initially believed it was a legal traffic stop.
EDCSO said a male suspect approached the vehicle, asked the driver to exit and reached into the car to help them out. However, the driver sprayed bear spray and fled to safety without further incident.
At this time, deputies describe the suspect as a white man in his 30s, 6 feet tall and unshaven.
“Please note that the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, like many other law enforcement agencies in the state, operates unmarked vehicles. Our unmarked vehicles are equipped with emergency lights and sirens that comply with California laws and vehicle codes,” the sheriff’s office said. “Our deputies will always be able to easily identify themselves or present law enforcement identification and are required by California law to notify the driver of the vehicle of the reason for the stop.”
Anyone with information or video footage of the incident is asked to contact Detective Flores at 530-642-4710 or Floresd@eldoradosheriff.gov.
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