Woman says fake officer tried to enter home
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:19 pm
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/169037.html
Woman says fake officer tried to enter home
By DEANNA BOYD
Star-Telegram staff writer
FORT WORTH -- Residents are asked to be on the alert after a woman reported that a man posing as a Fort Worth police officer tried to force his way into her north Fort Worth home early Friday.
The 28-year-old woman told police that she was awakened about 12:40 a.m. by someone knocking on the front door of her home in the 6900 block of Red Fox Trail, between Basswood and Western Center boulevards.
She opened the door partway and saw a man wearing a dark blue uniform with a Fort Worth police patch on the sleeve and a badge, and carrying a large flashlight, according to a police report.
He told her that he had been asked to check on her welfare, then asked whether she had any children or anyone at home with her.
She told him that her children were asleep.
The man then tried to push the front door open and enter the house, the report said. The woman, fearful that he was not a real police officer, slammed the door and called 911.
He left in a white four-door car, possibly a Chevrolet Caprice, police said.
The woman told police that there were several discrepancies in the man's uniform. It did not include a nameplate, the collar insignia said only "PD" and the badge had no panther on it but was rather just a shield with a piece of white tape across the bottom.
Lt. Dean Sullivan, a police spokesman, said residents can always ask for an officer's name, identification number and credentials. All officers carry an ID card unique to the Fort Worth Police Department, he said.
"If you have any question at all about the legitimacy or authenticity of a person you don't recognize as a Fort Worth police officer, please don't hesitate to call 911 as this victim did," Sullivan said.
Sullivan said investigators have reviewed overnight police calls.
"It does not appear any of our officers were in that area at the time this incident occurred," he said.
He said police are also checking with surrounding agencies for any reports of similar impersonators.
The man is described as white, 35 to 40 years old, 6 feet to 6 feet 1 inch tall, and 180 to 190 pounds with a blond military-style flattop haircut. He has blue eyes, a light beard and a large Adam's apple. He was wearing lace-up boots.
Anyone with information about his identity is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS (469- 8477).
dboyd@star-telegram.com
Deanna Boyd, 817-390-7655
Woman says fake officer tried to enter home
By DEANNA BOYD
Star-Telegram staff writer
FORT WORTH -- Residents are asked to be on the alert after a woman reported that a man posing as a Fort Worth police officer tried to force his way into her north Fort Worth home early Friday.
The 28-year-old woman told police that she was awakened about 12:40 a.m. by someone knocking on the front door of her home in the 6900 block of Red Fox Trail, between Basswood and Western Center boulevards.
She opened the door partway and saw a man wearing a dark blue uniform with a Fort Worth police patch on the sleeve and a badge, and carrying a large flashlight, according to a police report.
He told her that he had been asked to check on her welfare, then asked whether she had any children or anyone at home with her.
She told him that her children were asleep.
The man then tried to push the front door open and enter the house, the report said. The woman, fearful that he was not a real police officer, slammed the door and called 911.
He left in a white four-door car, possibly a Chevrolet Caprice, police said.
The woman told police that there were several discrepancies in the man's uniform. It did not include a nameplate, the collar insignia said only "PD" and the badge had no panther on it but was rather just a shield with a piece of white tape across the bottom.
Lt. Dean Sullivan, a police spokesman, said residents can always ask for an officer's name, identification number and credentials. All officers carry an ID card unique to the Fort Worth Police Department, he said.
"If you have any question at all about the legitimacy or authenticity of a person you don't recognize as a Fort Worth police officer, please don't hesitate to call 911 as this victim did," Sullivan said.
Sullivan said investigators have reviewed overnight police calls.
"It does not appear any of our officers were in that area at the time this incident occurred," he said.
He said police are also checking with surrounding agencies for any reports of similar impersonators.
The man is described as white, 35 to 40 years old, 6 feet to 6 feet 1 inch tall, and 180 to 190 pounds with a blond military-style flattop haircut. He has blue eyes, a light beard and a large Adam's apple. He was wearing lace-up boots.
Anyone with information about his identity is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS (469- 8477).
dboyd@star-telegram.com
Deanna Boyd, 817-390-7655
