McDowell County warns of possible police impersonator on U.S. 221

Drivers who think they are being pulled over by a fake officer on U.S. 221 North near Linville Mountain should turn on hazard lights, slow down, and keep moving to a safe, well-lit, populated area, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office said after a reported impersonation stop near the McDowell County-Avery County line.

The warning followed a June 15 stop near the Avery County line, where the victim said an unmarked dark-colored SUV activated a blue dash light, then a man who did not display a badge searched the driver and the vehicle without proper law-enforcement identification. Officials said the suspect was armed with a firearm, a taser and handcuffs, and the SUV lacked proper law-enforcement markings or tags.

If a stop feels suspicious, the sheriff’s office said motorists should call 911, give dispatchers a location and vehicle description, and ask them to confirm whether a legitimate officer is trying to stop the car. Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Kyle Gibson at 828-652-2235, ext. 1222.

The concern is not limited to McDowell County. Avery County authorities asked the public to help locate a possible “Blue Light Bandit” who may be in Avery or surrounding counties and described the vehicle as a dark-colored SUV with a blue light in the front. Avery County officials gave similar advice for suspicious traffic stops, telling drivers to lock doors, roll down a window only slightly to request identification, and call 911 to verify the stop.

The overlap in warnings has raised concern across western North Carolina, where agencies are warning residents about a possible armed impersonator using a blue light to mimic a law-enforcement stop. No arrest or suspect identification had been announced, and residents traveling U.S. 221 North near the state line are being urged to treat unfamiliar traffic stops with caution until the suspect is identified.