State Police Warn of Phony Cop on I-696

A phony cop with a police-like light bar affixed to his vehicle allegedly harassed another motorist on Interstate 696 at Hilton Road about 7:40 a.m. Thursday in an incident Michigan State Police are describing as “road rage.”

The motorist called police and reported he was traveling eastbound on the freeway when he became involved in a dispute with the other driver, who pulled up behind him in a four-door Oldsmobile, his red and blue lights flashing, WWJ/CBS Detroit reports.

The alleged impersonator followed when the caller exited the freeway, then pulled around the other driver’s vehicle and re-entered the freeway.

Police describe the suspect as a white male approximately 30 to 35 years old.

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State police said they don’t use unmarked vehicles in traffic enforcement. Police said motorists who are unsure if they’re being pursued by a police officer or an imposter should turn on their hazard lights and call 911, where a dispatcher may be able to help them determine if they’re being pulled over by a real officer.

Anyone with information about Thursday morning’s incident or similar incidents should call the state police metro post at (734) 368-8290.