A Dade City man was arrested Tuesday night for impersonating a law enforcement officer...after he tried to pull over an undercover HCSO detective.
At about 8 p.m., Matthew Joseph Erris, 26, reportedly activated red and blue lights located on the grill of his 2007 white Chevrolet Trailblazer in an attempt to pull over another driver.
According to HCSO, he was unaware that the driver of the other vehicle was an undercover detective. That detective contacted 911 dispatchers to report the unusual attempted traffic stop, alerting patrol deputies as he maintained constant visual on the vehicle.
A short time later, Erris' Trailblazer was pulled over by a real HCSO deputy.
The vehicle was searched and deputies found a realistic looking airsoft pistol in a holster beneath the front passenger seat. Erris also had a light bar installed ont op of his SUV.
He was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer.
It is unclear at this time if Erris has committed similar offenses in the past. Anyone who recognizes Erris or his vehicle who believes they may have been victimized should contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office county at 813-247-8200.
