The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for an unidentified man accused of impersonating a Sheriff's Deputy.
The suspect on Wednesday afternoon conducted an illegal traffic stop, which, according to Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum, took place on U.S. 129 in the Redstone community just south of Arcade.
"After lunch today, a man was passing through Jackson County; he wasn't really a resident," she explained. "Somebody who was in a tan Chevrolet Impala, with a single blue light on the dash, stopped him, and told him he was 'non-essential' and shouldn't be out."
The suspect, an older white male, was described as "wearing tan pants, and [a tan] shirt with a badge on it," she said, and identified himself as a Jackson County Deputy Sheriff.
The individual who was pulled over was then sent on his way.
"The man didn't report it right then," she said. "He went on to where he was going and told his boss about it, and at that time called back in to report being stopped."
Sheriff Mangum said the Sheriff's Office does not have any Chevrolet vehicles in its patrol fleet, and that all patrolling officers wear dark, not tan, pants.
All patrol vehicles also have numerous lights on board, as opposed to the single blue light reported on the dash of the suspect's vehicle.
If any other stops are made before the suspect is apprehended, Mangum said any drivers who are apprehensive about the legality of a traffic stop can call 911.
"When they get 911, they can ask them if they've got a deputy who's reported a traffic stop in that area," she said. "Call 911 as soon as they can, not wait."
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call 911, or contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at (706) 367-8718.
Anonymous tips can also be made by calling the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s Anonymous Tip Line at (706) 367-3784.
