The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a suspect who allegedly impersonated a Sheriff's Office deputy.
On February 3, between 8 and 9 p.m., a driver in the area of China Hill Road and Highway 49 was pulled over by a black and white SUV with flashing red and blue lights on the dashboard, according to a Facebook post from the ECSO.
The driver thought they were being lawfully pulled over in a traffic stop.
A man walked up to the driver, demanded they get out of the car, then reached in through the car window and tried to pull them out.
The driver was able to find and use bear spray against the man, according to the post, and was able to get away.
The suspect in the incident is described as a white man, around six feet tall, in his 30s, and unshaven.
While the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office does use unmarked vehicles, their vehicles are equipped with emergency lights and sirens that follow California legislation and vehicle code
Their deputies will always be readily identifiable or be able to produce law enforcement credentials, and per California law, must notify the driver of the vehicle of the reason for the stop.
Anyone with information or video of the incident is asked to reach out to Detective Flores with the ECSO at (530) 642-4710 or Floresd@eldoradosheriff.gov.
