It's scary enough when you see the flashing blue light in your rearview: Spray your air freshener, open the windows, and cross yourself.

Are we right?

But now authorities believe a police impersonator might have pulled a motorist over in the South Bay this week.

And last night they sent out a warning:

Sheriff's officials say this suspect was in his mid- to late 30s and wore a tan outfit of the color worn by real deputies: He had a motorcycle equipped with flashing blue and red lights and he carried what the unidentified victim recognized immediately as a fake badge.

The attempted stop happened yesterday morning at 147th Street and Inglewood Avenue in Lawndale, according to a Sheriff's statement:


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When the motorist asked the man what Sheriff's station he was assigned to, the individual remounted his motorcycle and rapidly sped off.

While such attempts are rare, deputies are warning you to be on the lookout. Sheriff's officials say you're entitled to do the following during a traffic stop:

-Pull over in a well-lit area.

-Ask for ID (on top of badges, cops should have department ID cards).

-Ask for a supervisor.

Now you know.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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