(File image). Photo: 123RF
A teenager has been referred to Youth Aid after allegedly impersonated a police officer by attaching red and blue flashing lights to his vehicle in Northland.
Mid North response manager Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt said the 17-year-old allegedly signalled for other drivers to stop.
Two recent incidents where solo female drivers were allegedly stopped by someone with fake police vehicle lights concerned officers, he said.
"On both occasions, the female drivers have stopped, and the alleged offender has exited his vehicle, and engaged them in conversation.
"The female drivers have then driven away from the man unharmed but were left distressed by his actions.
"The incidents could have also led to a crash and put the lives of other road users at risk."
Police were able to identify a suspect from images of the vehicle taken from CCTV footage.
"Yesterday, we executed a search warrant at an address in Kerikeri and located a vehicle which had red and blue lights fitted to it," Barratt said.
"A 17-year-old man was referred to Youth Aid as a result.
"We are greatly concerned by this man's actions and believe he may have approached and signalled other drivers in the region to stop with the activated red and blue lights."
Police were asking the public for more information on these incidents or of other similar incidents.
They can be contacted on 105, quoting file number 240625/9125 or online, clicking on update report and using the file number.
