Deputy duped by fake police lights, arrests driver

[July 30, 2009]  MANATEE, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say a Florida motorist who used fake police lights to get through traffic was busted after an off-duty sheriff's deputy pulled over to get out of the way and became suspicious.

Manatee County Detective Jeff Lane was driving on a Florida insterstate on July 18 when he saw the lights behind him and pulled over. When he saw that the passing car was a black BMW with no police markings, Lane became suspicious and wrote down the license plate number.

The sheriff's office said Lane connected the vehicle to a 34-year-old Sarasota man. The detective went to the Publix where the man worked Tuesday, and authorities say he admitted using the lights.

The man was arrested and charged with impersonating an officer. He was released Wednesday on bail.

[Associated Press]

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