GPD Chief Monte Urges Caution from Community
On January 8 around 4 p.m. a Grants resident was pulled over by an early 2000s white in color Chevy Tahoe. The person conducting the traffic stop had red flashing emergency lights on their vehicle and wore a black windbreaker with blue Levi-style jeans. This person is not a real police officer. GPD vehicles have lights that flash red and blue, officers will identify themselves by name. Residents can ask real officers for their badge number and commission card information, if the officer refuses to give the information, call 911. Destiny Gallegos - CC
GRANTS, N.M. – Grants Police Department is warning residents to use extreme caution until a police impersonator is caught and brought to justice. On January 8 a Grants resident was stopped by the impersonator who was in a white 2000s model Chevy Tahoe that had red flashing lights. Grants Police Chief Maxine Monte said that GPD is doing everything in their power to find the impersonator.
Grants Police Department vehicles have emergency lights that flash red and blue. The impersonator’s lights were only flashing red. Grants Police Department does not have any Chevy Tahoes in their fleet, the vehicle is what the impersonator was driving.
What Does the Impersonator Look Like?
The impersonator is a taller Hispanic male. Standing 5’11” to 6’ tall, he has short dark hair.
There is no further description of the impersonator at this time.
All police officers are required to carry their badge and commission card. Chief Monte said that residents should ask to see an officer’s commission card if they are pulled over or are unsure if the person pulling them over is a licensed police officer. If the officer in question refuses to show this identification, call 911 immediately.
How do Police Know About the Impersonator?
Around 4 p.m. on Jan. 8 a Grants resident was driving from Walmart when he noticed the white Chevy Tahoe following him. The resident turned onto McArthur, at which point the impersonator’s emergency lights began to flash. The impersonator walked to the window of the resident and asked, “Do you know why I pulled you over?”
The impersonator was wearing a black windbreaker with a Grants Police Department patch embroidered on it. He wore a white t-shirt and blue Levi jeans.
The impersonator did not appear to have a firearm or a badge. The impersonator said that the resident had been speeding, after close examination of what the impersonator was wearing, the resident decided to ask for the impersonator’s badge and commission card. The impersonator refused, at which point the citizen said that the impersonator was free to call for backup but he was going to leave because he felt unsafe.
The resident was able to leave without further incident, he immediately called 911.
Officers canvassed the surrounding area and were unable to find a 2000s model Chevy Tahoe in the area.
What is GPD Doing to Find the Impersonator?
“It is our top priority to stop this person,” Chief Monte said.
Currently, Grants Police Department is pulling all of its records involving white Chevy Tahoes to look for a potential link to this crime. By state statute, vehicles with emergency lights must have the proper authorization and approval from the local police authority – in this case, that would be Chief Monte. GPD is going through all of the commissions they have granted for emergency lights to make sure that none of these commissions are being used to aide in the impersonation of officers.
“What the public can do: Can ask for identification, badge, and commission card. Tell the officer they are going to call dispatch and verify [the officer’s] identity,” Chief Monte said. The chief said Grants Police Department is actively following up on leads and urges caution among the city’s residents.