Surveillance video shows woman accused of impersonating a police officer

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - Police say an East Texas woman who is reportedly impersonating a police officer has committed the same crime twice in one week.

Sunday night, a man was robbed at a car wash off West Front Street in Tyler when a woman presented a false police badge and demanded to search his car. Monday, police said a similar thing had happened in downtown Tyler at D & N Grocery last week.

Police believe the same woman was acting in both incidents.

In store surveillance video, you see the woman in denim shorts. She made a purchase inside the store, then went outside. That's where she confronted the first victim by asking for money.

"She then told him to turn around and place his hands on the car like she was going to do a pat down and took his wallet. Once it was out of his pants, she got in her vehicle and took off," said Tyler Police Officer Don Martin.

Police said in a second incident, the same woman confronted another man vacuuming his car at a carwash on West Front Street in Tyler. She identified herself, again, as an officer and told him he'd be arrested if he didn't let her search his vehicle.

"While she was in his car, she ended up stealing his cell phone that was in the car and took his wallet and left him high and dry," said Officer Martin.

Tyler Police say both victims were Hispanic males. Police warn, if someone identifies themselves as a police officer and they are in plain clothes, you should call the police department and confirm their identity. Officer Martin said you should even request the presence of a uniformed officer on the scene.

Police said the woman may be driving a dark compact car... possibly a gray Nissan. Anyone confronted by her should immediately call 9-1-1.

The woman is described as a white female with short brown hair, possibly in her forties, approximately 5'5" and 130 pounds.

Related Stories:

Copyright 2012 KLTV. All rights reserved.