Suspected Police Impersonator Was Real Officer: North Aurora Police

NORTH AURORA, IL — Police were warning residents to be wary after they said a possible police impersonator visited a North Aurora home Wednesday night, but now say they've learned he was a legitimate officer from another agency.

North Aurora officers were called to a home in the 100 block of East State Street around 1 a.m. Thursday, after residents became suspicious of a person who had questioned them earlier in the evening.

The residents said a man pulled up to the house in a white pickup truck just before 9:30 p.m. and rang the doorbell. He was wearing what appeared to be a police uniform and outer vest carrier with duty gear.

Residents told police that the man spoke fluent English and Spanish and asked questions about a resident who was not home at the time. Initially, the residents cooperated, but eventually became suspicious and refused to answer any additional questions. The man then left in the white pickup truck.

North Aurora police said they had not had any other reports about a police impersonator, and couldn't rule out that the man was an actual police officer or official from an unknown agency.

Later, after issuing a post warning residents, they said they learned the man was a real police officer. "We heard from a police agency nearby that saw our post and inter-agency bulletin and learned that the person described in the post was a legitimate police officer," police said in a follow-up to a news release issued earlier in the day on Thursday.

If someone comes to your door claiming to be an officer or another government official, and you become suspicious, North Aurora police recommend:

• Ask to see the person’s police credentials, typically an official badge which has the agency name and a badge number along with an official identification card from the agency. North Aurora police officers carry or wear star-shaped badges and identification cards with their picture, name, rank, badge number, and the Chief’s signature.
• Call 911 and ask the dispatcher if the person at your door is a real police officer. If the person is not from your local police agency, they can dispatch officers to verify the person’s identity.
• If the person is dressed in plain clothes, politely ask them to have a uniformed police officer respond to verify their identity.
• Don’t open your door or let them inside your home unless you are satisfied that they are a legitimate police officer.

If you are driving and being pulled over by someone you think might not be a legitimate police officer:

• Make sure it is a marked police vehicle. If it is not marked, the emergency lights are usually built in on official unmarked vehicles and not just a temporary light placed on the roof or dash.
• Try to stop in a well-lit area or location with people present. Turn on your emergency flashers, but keep your car running and lock your door.
• If the officer is in plain clothes, ask them what agency they represent and ask if you can contact their dispatch center to verify their identity. You can also ask them to have a marked police vehicle with a uniformed officer respond.
• Pay attention to what they are asking. Most officers will advise you of their agency and the reason for the stop, and ask for your driver’s license and proof of insurance.

North Aurora Police said residents should call 911 if they suspect they are being contacted by a police impersonator.