PALMERTON -- State police in Carbon County are on the lookout for a man who is posing as a police officer.
Troopers say he pulled a woman over last Friday and pulled a gun on her. This is an investigation troopers in this part of Carbon County are taking very seriously.
It was along a stretch of Route 248 that a Palmerton woman was pulled over just last week by what looked to be a cop in an unmarked car, but when that person approached her car and asked for her license and registration, she soon realized something was very wrong.
"The female then asked why she was pulled over and at which time the male then asked her 'do I have to do this?' and he pulled a silver revolver and the female did take off," said Trooper Erin Cawley.
The woman escaped unharmed.
Troopers describe the police impersonator as white, medium build, between 5'8" and 5'9", with a military-style haircut. He had a black polo with a silver badge that said "police" on the front, and a left-handed holster belt with a silver revolver.
Many folks in Palmerton were shaken up when learning of the incident.
"I can't believe it. I just can't believe it. It's scary, especially when you're alone," said Marie Dieter.
"Yeah, it would be yes, upsetting, very, because it hasn't happened before that I know of," said Floyd Gruber.
State police say the impersonator was driving a black Dodge Charger, without tinted windows and there was damage to the front of the driver side fog light, and his lights only flashed blue.
Troopers say if you see flashing lights behind you and you aren't sure if it's an actual police officer, it's OK to put your four ways on and keep driving until you see somewhere safe to pull over.
"We're recommending that you pull over in a well-light area, in a well-populated area."
Officers say you can even call 911 to let dispatchers know your location and find out if the officer is an actual cop.
Floyd Gruber of Palmerton says these are all steps he and his wife would most definitely take.
"She'd pull over in a place where there's a lot of people like the Convenient Mart, someplace where she could get out and there would be people around."
Troopers are asking anyone with information about this fake cop to call state police in Lehighton at 610-681-1850.
If caught, this man will be facing charges of impersonating a public servant.