Local law enforcement agencies are asking residents to be careful of people posing as officers and pulling unsuspecting victims over.
This past Sunday night, three black unmarked vehicles stopped a Franklin County driver between Sopchoppy and the Franklin County Line Route 319.
鈥淭hey also handcuffed the individual and put him in the back of a car, and then released him. He was issued no citation,鈥� said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith, . 鈥淗e was not arrested.鈥�
Smith says the men identified themselves as state troopers from the Florida Highway patrol.
鈥淭o the best of our knowledge, we have not been able to identify them as law enforcement,鈥� he added. 鈥淥ne actually had a bulldog at the back of the truck and a cap that said 鈥楩HP.鈥� FHP has no knowledge of these people.鈥�
If anyone has a similar experience, Smith is asking those individuals to contact their local sheriff鈥檚 office.
鈥淲e take this very seriously and we also want to let you know that if you are stopped by an unmarked vehicle, and you鈥檙e not sure, proceed to an area that is well lit,鈥� he continued. 鈥淎nd, if you鈥檙e not sure that the person is a law enforcement officer, ask for their credentials and ask for a supervisor. Do not exit your car. And, if necessary, call our dispatch center. If it鈥檚 in Wakulla County, call the sheriff鈥檚 office. If it鈥檚 in Franklin County, call the Franklin County Sheriff鈥檚 office. We can tell you if it鈥檚 one of our law enforcement officer or if it鈥檚 a state law enforcement officer.鈥�
Smith says the black unmarked vehicles were a Taurus, a Tahoe, and a Chevy Z71. Anyone with any information or questions surrounding this incident should call their sheriff鈥檚 office.
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