This is the Jeep Cherokee that may have been involved in one of the incidents.Photo: Courtesy Cleveland Division of Police
(Cleveland) - Cleveland Police may have found one of the vehicles driven by someone pretending to be a police officer by pulling over motorists by using red and blue police-style lights, and then robbing the drivers.
Tuesday morning, about 9:20, Cleveland Police from the Second District saw a Dodge Durango SUV fitting the description of a vehicle possibly involved in these crimes. Police followed the Durango in an unmarked police car to 6917 Worley Avenue in Slavic Village.
The driver, after he saw assisting police in marked cars, abandoned the Durango and ran inside 6917 Worley Avenue and locked the door, with innocent people in the house.
The man was arrested on an outstanding felony drug warrant, and for tampering with evidence. Other charges are still being considered.
Earlier in the day, Cleveland Police put out this photo of a Jeep Cherokee, believed to have been involved in at least one of the incidents involving police pretenders.
These are the incidents as reported by Cleveland Division of Police:
- On March 7, 2023 at 2:40 a.m., a male was traveling on Route 2 at West 45th Street exit when a vehicle displaying police emergency type lights pulled him over, the suspects robbed him at gunpoint of his vehicle. The suspect vehicle in that incident was possibly a dark colored Honda Accord.
- On March 28, 2023 at approximately 9:30 a.m., in the area of 152nd Street and Lakeshore Avenue, a male was approached and pulled over by suspects in a dark colored Jeep Grand Cherokee displaying police emergency type lights and was then robbed at gunpoint.
- On March 31, 2023 at approximately 9:55 p.m., in the 3200 block of West 65th street, suspects driving a Volkswagen SUV displaying police emergency type lights pulled over and robbed victims of property at gunpoint.
- On April 1, 2023 at approximately 3:00 a.m., in the 3000 block of West 48th Street, suspects driving a Kia Sportage displaying police emergency type lights pulled over and robbed victims of property and a vehicle at gunpoint.
- On April 2, 2023 at approximately 6:20 p.m., in the area of Broadway Avenue and Blanche Avenue, a victim reported he was driving and was followed by a vehicle which utilized police type lights to attempt to pull him over. The victim further stated that the suspect brandished a firearm and was wearing a ballistic vest. The victim called 9-1-1 and remained on the line with dispatch as he drove to the Third District police station. While driving to the police station, the suspect vehicle went another direction. The suspect vehicle is described as a brand-new Black Dodge Durango with heavily tinted windows and black vehicle accessories and temporary tags. A Black Jeep Cherokee also appeared to be involved.
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