HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Florida — A Central Florida man was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer after activating red and blue emergency-style lights on his vehicle.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded after the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reported a suspicious black Chevy Equinox entering Hillsborough County in January. The vehicle’s lights caused another driver to believe they were being pulled over by police.
Deputies located the vehicle near Dale Mabry Highway and Ehrlich Road at 1:21 p.m. and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, 28-year-old Gamal Said, admitted he turned on the lights to get to work faster.
“Falsely presenting as law enforcement is a serious offense that jeopardizes public safety,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Anyone who abuses that trust will be held accountable. Drivers should call 911 if they are unsure about a traffic stop.”
Said was taken into custody and faces charges of Unlawful Use of Blue Light, Impersonating a Public Officer, and two out-of-county warrants for probation violations related to burglary of an unoccupied structure.
HCSO detectives are asking anyone who believes they may have been pulled over by Said prior to his arrest to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200. The investigation is ongoing.
