PLANT CITY, Fla. — A Florida man was charged with impersonating an officer Wednesday after he pulled over a legitimate undercover deputy.
Matthew Erris, 26, of Dade City, activated red and blue lights on the grill of his 2007 Chevy Trailblazer around 8 p.m., unaware the other driver was an undercover Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office detective, officials with the agency said.
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The detective called 911 and reported the traffic stop. Shortly later, a real deputy pulled over the Trailblazer and searched the vehicle.
Investigators found an airsoft pistol that looked like a real gun in a holster. A police light bar was also installed on the top of the vehicle.
Erris was arrested and charged with impersonating an officer. Investigators believe other drivers may have been victimized.
OOPS: When Matthew Erris decided to play cop, turn on his red and blue lights and pull somebody over, he didn't know the other driver was a REAL undercover #TeamHCSO detective! Deputies found an airsoft pistol under his seat. Erris is facing a charge for impersonating a LEO pic.twitter.com/jStsiWAImD
— HCSO #teamhcso (@HCSOSheriff) April 18, 2019
Cox Media Group