There are probably few worse ways to impersonate a police officer than parking along the same highway where you allegedly just conducted an unauthorized traffic stop. Yet, according to Kentucky authorities, that’s essentially how one 19-year-old’s Saturday night ended.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office says Korie Matthew Noble was arrested on August 8 after deputies received a complaint about a white SUV that looked like a police vehicle and was allegedly using flashing red lights to pull over motorists on Kentucky Highway 30.
During one of those alleged stops, Noble reportedly approached a motorist and told him that he had been speeding. There was just one problem when the driver asked the teenager to prove he was actually a police officer.
Authorities say Noble couldn’t produce any identification. Rather than continue the interaction, the motorist drove away and contacted the London-Laurel County 911 Communication Center.
That call ultimately brought a real sheriff’s deputy to Highway 30.
Deputy Finds Alleged Fake Cop Waiting for More Drivers
According to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Tristen House was dispatched to investigate at approximately 10:53 p.m. after receiving the report about the suspicious white SUV.
The caller described a vehicle that appeared similar to a police SUV because of decals or other markings on its exterior. Authorities say it was also equipped with a red emergency light, which Noble allegedly activated while conducting the traffic stop.
Deputy House eventually located the SUV parked along Highway 30. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Noble appeared to be positioned along the roadway “as if watching for traffic violators.”
This time, however, Noble was the one getting pulled over.
House activated his emergency equipment and stopped the SUV. The Sheriff’s Office says Noble then acknowledged that he had conducted the earlier traffic stop along Highway 30.
Kentucky Sheriff Reminds Drivers To Look for Blue Lights
The Sheriff’s Office noted that red emergency light packages in Kentucky are restricted to fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance services. Police vehicles use flashing blue lights when signaling motorists to stop.
Sheriff John Root also reminded drivers that legitimate law enforcement officers carry proper identification. Anyone uncertain about whether they’re being stopped by an actual police officer should proceed to a safe location near an open business before stopping.
Noble was ultimately arrested and charged with impersonating a peace officer, improper emergency or safety lights, and failure to produce an insurance card. He was then lodged at the Laurel County Correctional Center.