Florida Man Learns Impersonating A Cop Is Illegal

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A Florida man learned a costly lesson that impersonating a cop is illegal and comes with severe consequences. We can’t believe anyone doesn’t know this, but we keep seeing stories like this one, so apparently it’s a thing. We hope to reach the dozens of others who don’t realize this is against the law, saving them from their stupidity.

A police impersonator was so good, he caused confusion among a group of cops.

Back on October 15, a Hernando County Sheriff’s detective was driving to work when he spotted a black Dodge Charger which sure looked like it was mocked up to look like a police cruiser. Among the details he noted were black aluminum wheels like what cops use (and who else would even want those ugly things?) and a push bar with lights mounted on it.

The detective wasn’t sure what color those lights were, because modern LEDS can look clear until illuminated. But when he was sitting at a red light in his unmarked car the guy in the Charger switched those lights on, which sure enough were red and blue, then drove through the red light.

So everyone is clear on this, you can’t have red and blue flashing lights on your car, motorcycle, scooter, bicycle, etc. You also can’t have just blue, which is what law enforcement uses in certain states. That constitutes impersonating a police officer, or so we’ve been told by attorneys in the past. And cops will cite you for that.

Once the detective confirmed the guy had red and blue lights on the Charger, he requested deputies in marked patrol vehicles pull the guy over. From what it sounds like they did just that in a hurry. Cops really hate impersonators and it’s easy to see why.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Frank Michael DeJiulio, Jr. was charged with False Personation and Prohibited Use of Certain Lights. Even worse, the Charger belongs to his girlfriend and had to be towed to impound. We wonder if the guy had to sleep on the couch that night.

The sheriff’s office is now asking if anyone in Hernando County or the surrounding area had any interactions with DeJiulio where he said he was law enforcement. They’re obviously trying to build a case against the guy who hopefully didn’t pull anyone over.

Images via Hernando County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook

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