Motorists Warned About Phony Cop In Westmoreland Co.

Authorities in Westmoreland County are cautioning motorists about a man masquerading as a police officer in the Ligonier area.

The phony cop pulled over a younger couple Monday night along Route 30 near Idlewild Park, police said. The motorists became suspicious because he told them their citation would be mailed. The fake cop was wearing sweat pants and driving an unmarked sport utility vehicle with no official plates. The couple did not see a badge or gun.

The couple called state police about 15 minutes later when they saw the man had stopped a young woman in front of a sandwich shop in Ligonier.

Residents are glad police were notified.

"I'm glad whoever the person was pulled over reported it to the borough cops, because the information was able to be passed on to the public at our disaster meeting Tuesday night," Cheryl Yeager said. "It's hard to believe in a small town like this that someone would be doing something like that. ...You just have to wonder what makes these people tick, you know?"

Police said if an unmarked car tries to stop a motorist, the driver should turn on the hazard lights and drive to the nearest open, well-lit business to call 911 and report the location. People can also call 911 to determine if it's a legitimate police stop.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call Ligonier police at 724-238-5611.

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