Sheriff’s Office seeking info on “fake” cop

“On February 3, 2026, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the vicinity of China Hill Rd. and Highway 49, the driver of a vehicle was pulled over by a black and white sports utility vehicle with flashing red and blue lights on the dashboard.

The driver of the vehicle believed they were being lawfully pulled over in a traffic stop. A male subject walked up to the driver, demanded the driver exit their vehicle and then reached into the vehicle through the window and attempted to remove the driver from (their) vehicle. The driver was able to access and utilize bear spray, effectively getting away to a safe location without any further incident. The person of interest in the incident is described as a white male adult, approximately 6’00 tall in his 30’s and unshaven.

Please know that while the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, like many other law enforcement agencies in the state, operate unmarked vehicles. Our unmarked vehicles are equipped with emergency lights and sirens that follow California legislation and vehicle code. Our deputies will always be readily identifiable or be able to produce law enforcement credentials, and per California law must notify the driver of the vehicle the reason for the stop.

We thank the community for their support and any information that can be provided regarding this incident. If you have any information or video surveillance footage, please reach out to Detective Flores at 530-642-4710 or Floresd@eldoradosheriff.gov.”