CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police is alerting the public of a troubling string of crimes that have taken place recently in the city.
Individuals have been posing as Cleveland police officers using red and blue strobe lights to trick people into thinking they are being pulled over for a traffic stop. When the victims pull over, the suspects rob them at gunpoint.
The suspects are said to be using a "dark SUV," wearing ballistic gear and carrying firearms.
A spokesperson for the Cleveland Division of Police says the suspects were using handguns to perform the robberies at first, but have recently started using AK-style guns.
There have been at least four of these incidents in the last month. Police say if you want to make sure that an officer attempting to pull you over is a legitimate officer, you can call 911 to confirm.
April 2 update: Cleveland police revealed a fifth incident took place at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Sunday.
A man reported that he was being followed by a vehicle using flashing lights in an attempt to have him pull over. The victim told police that the individual matched the description of wearing a ballistic vest and brandishing a firearm.
The victim called 911 and stayed on the line with the operator until he drove to the nearest police station. Once the victim was close to the police station, the suspect drove in another direction.
The victim described the suspect's vehicle as a new, black Dodge Durango with heavily tinted windows, black vehicle accessories and temporary tags. It is believed that a black Jeep Cherokee may also be involved in the robbery attempts according to Cleveland police.
Below are the previous incidents:
March 7: Route 2 and West 45th Street
Cleveland police say a male traveling at the West 45th Street exit was pulled over by a vehicle displaying emergency type of lights and robber him at gunpoint. The suspect's vehicle was possibly a dark-colored Honda Accord.
March 28: 152nd Street and Lakeshore Avenue
A male was approached and pulled over by a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had police emergency type of lights, and robbed the victim at gunpoint.
March 31: 3200 block of West 65th Street
Suspects in a Volkswagen SUV displaying emergency police lights pulled over their vehicle and robbed the victims at gunpoint.
April 1: 3000 block of West 48th Street
Suspects driving a Kia Sportage displaying the emergency type of lights pulled over and robbed victims of their property and vehicle at gunpoint.