Smart phone, dumb idea lands Idaho man in jail

[March 16, 2011]  BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Authorities say a smart phone and a dumb idea have landed a 21-year-old Idaho man in trouble with the law.

Boise police say Alexander A. Welch is charged with unlawful exercise of the function of police after officers say he used a cell phone app that flashes blue and red to try to pull over another car Saturday night. A motorist called police to report that someone who didn't appear to be an officer tried to pull the driver over with a flashing blue and red light. The person said the car pulled in behind briefly and then drove away. The suspicious driver followed the car and called police, who located Welch's vehicle. Police found an application on Welch's cell phone that flashed blue and red lights and arrested him. [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.