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Police: Man impersonated police officer to steal money from drivers

Posted at 12:04 PM, Oct 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-30 12:04:51-04

ANDERSON, Ind. -- A man was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer last week, after he took cash from two victims, police say.

The investigation by the Anderson Police Department began when the victim said he was stopped by somebody he believed to be a police officer.

The victim told police he was at a gas station when a truck pulled in behind him and flashed its headlights very quickly. The driver got out of the truck and identified himself as an off-duty police officer, according to a probable cause document. 

The suspect was wearing street clothing and driving a gold pickup truck. He told the victim to empty his pockets and asked for his identification, according to the document. When the victim did so, he took $24 in cash and multiple credit cards, police say.

The victim's card was used to buy $88.20 in gas at another gas station just before 2 a.m. A woman was also seen on surveillance trying to use a different card at the gas station, but the card was declined.

A few days later, another victim reached out to police, saying he had been robbed by somebody impersonating a public official. Video surveillance from a nearby business showed the victim pull into a parking lot, with the gold truck following, police said. The video shows the truck's lights then flashing wildly, a common feature on police vehicles. 

The second victim said the suspect spoke like a police officer, saying things like "Sir, get back in your car!" and "Let me see your hands!" The victim told police the suspect took about $164 in cash from him, then left.

The truck and the two suspects were later found at a Red Roof Inn in Anderson. Police found the first suspect's ID near the dumpster of the hotel. 

The suspect, Joshua Dawson, was charged with robbery and impersonation of a public servant. The woman with him, Aimee Stout, was charged with aiding, inducing or causing robbery and theft.

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