AZDPS Arrests Man for Impersonating a Police Officer During Traffic Stop on I-17 in Phoenix

What this means

A factual summary is pending editorial review. The complete official release is reproduced below with issuer attribution and a direct link to the original publication.

Official release

Source material from Arizona Department of Public Safety. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

PHOENIX – On Thursday, September 17, 2026, at approximately 8:29 a.m., the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) responded to a report of a vehicle conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 17 southbound near the area of Dove Valley Road (milepost 221–223) in Phoenix. A caller reported that he had pulled over a silver Tesla sedan, occupied by an adult male driver and adult female passenger, using a silver/gray older-model Chevrolet pickup truck equipped with red and blue emergency-style lights mounted on the dashboard (not in the vehicle’s visors).

The caller remained on scene and stayed in contact with AZDPS while awaiting troopers’ arrival. Troopers responded and made contact with all parties. Upon investigation, troopers determined the caller had no law enforcement authority and was not affiliated with any law enforcement agency.

The individual was taken into custody at the scene and booked on charges of impersonating a police officer.

AZDPS is releasing this information because of concern that this individual, or someone using a similarly equipped vehicle, may have stopped other motorists. Anyone who believes they have been pulled over by this vehicle or driver is asked to contact 1-877-4AZ-TIPS or submit a tip at azactic.gov/report.

Vehicle Description:

Older model Chevrolet pickup truck (2500-series style)

Gray/silver in color

Red and blue lights mounted above/behind the dash, visible through the windshield

Driver described as wearing a red polo shirt, dark jeans, and a ball cap

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BEING STOPPED BY SOMEONE YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

If you are being signaled to pull over and have concerns about whether the vehicle or person stopping you is a legitimate law enforcement officer, Arizona law still requires you to acknowledge the stop and pull over in a safe manner. You do not need to stop immediately in an isolated or poorly lit location — you may:

Turn on your hazard lights to signal that you’ve seen them and intend to comply

Reduce your speed and drive to the nearest well-lit, populated area — a police station, fire station, gas station, or open business — before coming to a complete stop

Call 911 while doing so, provide your location, and ask the dispatcher to confirm whether a legitimate unit is stopping you

Keep your doors locked and only roll your window down partially until you’ve confirmed the person’s identity (a marked vehicle, uniform, and visible badge/credentials)

This is not a basis to ignore a stop or continue driving away from a genuine law enforcement vehicle — doing so is a separate offense and puts you and others at risk. The steps above are about how you stop, not whether you stop.

Release text attributed to Arizona Department of Public Safety. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.