Sketch released in police impersonation case

Deputy Vinnie Russo has developed a composite sketch of the suspect in Saturday evening’s apparent police impersonation; where a female driver and her two small children were pulled over in the area of SR-207 and Hilltop Road, presumably because she was “speeding”.

The victim described to investigators a black colored sedan that followed her vehicle from Interstate 95 eastbound on to SR-207. According to her statement, the black sedan activated what appeared to be white strobe lights — signaling her to pull over.

The driver of the black sedan had some sort of logo on the front-chest area of his shirt; however, the victim said that she did not recognize it. She did notice that although the “officer” was wearing a gun belt, he did not appear to have a gun in the holster.

The driver said that she answered questions from the man in the uniform about her driving, but she became suspicious when he asked about a knife set that she had on the floor of her vehicle. The victim stated that the man told her that he had to confiscate the knives because they posed a danger to the children.

When he took the knife set and walked back to his vehicle, the woman says that she drove off and the man did not follow her.

The man believed to be a police impersonator, was described as white in his mid to late 20′s with brown hair, blue eyes, no tattoos or facial hair and approximately 5’7”- 5’9”, 210-225 lbs.

Detectives have asked Historic City News readers to contact the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 824-8304 if they recognize the man in the sketch. You can remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).