A Palmetto man was arrested Sunday in Ybor City and charged with impersonating an officer after investigators said he pulled over a Tampa police officer.
According to Tampa police, a man, later identified as Jonathan Charles Stevens, 24, was driving a white Chevy Tahoe equipped with flashing red and blue emergency lights when he stopped a Tampa police officer just after 11 p.m. at 17th Street North and 7th Avenue East in Ybor City.
"He indicated he worked for the Department of Homeland Security, and the vehicle came back registered to an individual, not a government agency," Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.
Just before turning on his sirens, Stevens called dispatch to a reckless driver, officials said.
The TPD officer found Stevens' actions suspicious and continued to talk to him, bringing backup to question him. Upon further questioning, Stevens admitted he was not employed by a government agency and doesn't have a concealed weapon permit, according to officials.
Officials said this isn't the first time Stevens has pulled this stunt. Megan Moorhead has seen Stevens' Chevy Tahoe in her rearview mirror before. He pulled her over at the Ellenton Premium Outlets last September and issued her a "warning."
"It was like he was a real officer," she said. "He pulled me over in an unmarked vehicle, he had lights and everything."
Stevens was arrested that time, too. Because Stevens had a gun with no permit, he is facing even more charges this time.
He was booked into jail on charges of false impersonation of a police officer, carrying a concealed firearm, and unlawful use of a blue light. He was released early Monday and later released on $17,500 bail.