Police Impersonators Rob Two in Visalia

The search continues for two suspects who posed as police officers in Visalia.
They robbed a pair of men early Sunday morning.

It happened around 3:30 in the morning at County Center and Walnut.

The victims were driving when they saw blue and red emergency lights behind them. They thought it was a police car so they pulled over.

The car behind them was a white SUV, no logo or markings. But blue and red lights were flashing near the windshield of the suspects car, much like a police car.

“They then pulled to the right side of the roadway and were approached by two suspects, one which was armed with a handgun, and ordered both victims from the vehicle and robbed them of their possessions,” Sgt. Damon Maurice with Visalia Police Department said.

The victims weren’t injured, but understandably shaken up.

The robbery occurred not far from the Visalia Mall. And it’s frightening for people who live and shop in the area.

“It’s also frightening because you trust that when a cop pulls up behind you that it’s a cop, and you don’t feel afraid, that’s really scary,” said Nataley Bergeron of Visalia.

“I don’t know if I would have stopped, I might have, I could have been, I could have been one of those people,” said Visalia resident Wendell Franzen.

What do you do if you find yourself in this situation? Police say drive to a public, well-lit area like a shopping mall, gas station or fast food restaurant. Ask to see the officer’s ID. And you can call 911 and ask them if they have an officer in that area so you’re sure.

If you have any information on the suspects, you’re asked to call Visalia Police.