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Uploaded: Tuesday, August 28, 2012, 1:31 PM
Updated: Friday, August 31, 2012, 6:37 AM
Woman sexually assaulted by police officer impersonator in Pleasanton
Police ask for the public's help in identifying suspect
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by Jessica Lipsky
Pleasanton Weekly Staff
Photo
 | The Pleasanton Police Department and allied agencies are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the suspect in a sexual assault that also involved the impersonation of a police officer.
The incident was just reported to police, several weeks after it occurred.
According to police, a woman was driving on Valley Avenue at Bernal Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. on Aug. 5 when she heard what sounded like the chirp of a police siren. After seeing a flash of light coming from the vehicle behind her, the driver believed she was being stopped by a law enforcement officer and pulled over in a secluded area to the side of the road.
The male suspect approached the driver's side door and showed the victim a star shaped badge in his hand, then ordered the victim out of her vehicle and handcuffed her. She was then placed in the back seat of the suspect's vehicle and driven to an unknown secluded road where she was sexually assaulted by the suspect in his vehicle. The suspect left the victim at the scene of the crime and drove away in his vehicle.
The victim walked back to her vehicle and drove home. She did not sustain any life threatening injuries. It is not known why the incident wasn't reported earlier.
The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20s or early 30s with dark brown or black hair. He is 5'10" to 6 feet tall, approximately 185 pounds and of a medium or muscular build. The suspect wore a dark colored button-down shirt with no police insignia and a dark, police-style hat with patent leather brim and no police insignia.
The victim describes the suspect's vehicle as a dark four-door sedan of unknown make and model.
Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the suspect is urged to contact the Pleasanton Police Department at 931-5100.
The Pleasanton Police Department offers the following safety tips for drivers worried about fake traffic stops:
- Law enforcement officers are required to have a solid, steady, front-facing, red light when they are conducting a traffic stop. You are not required by law to stop if you do not see a solid red light.
- If you are being pulled over, slow down, put on your blinker and drive to a well lit and populated area before you stop.
- Call 911 if you are concerned about the legitimacy of the traffic stop. The 911 dispatcher can confirm whether the traffic stop is legitimate or will send officers to investigate. Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by J K, a resident of another community, on Aug 28, 2012 at 5:24 pm Had this department been using the Smart Shield this may have been avoided. This law enforcement impersonation deterrent developed exclusively for the men and women who protect our communities could have meant the difference for this woman.
www.smartshields.com
www.facebook.com/smartshields
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Posted by Stevie, a resident of another community, on Aug 28, 2012 at 6:20 pm This is VERY frightening to me because this sounds remarkably similar to a run-in I had with a police impostor a few months ago. I was fortunate enough to get away without any altercation, but it's terrifying that this actually happened to someone. My issue occurred in San Jose in April.
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Posted by Staycee D. Ragon, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Aug 28, 2012 at 7:54 pm I am trying to figure out a few things here after reading the article in three different publications. Why did the victim wait so long to report this? Why does it not say what she was being handcuffed for? The so called Officer (the suspect) told her to get out of the car right away and he handcuffed her. I am sorry I would have questioned the suspect as to what I did wrong-just open the window a little enough to talk. any officer of the peace would surely understand.
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Posted by Wassup, a resident of the Avila neighborhood, on Aug 28, 2012 at 10:24 pm This is very disturbing. There are also news about excessive force used by some cops. Now impersonating a police officer? So what to do when a cop pulls you over?
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Posted by Suz, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Aug 28, 2012 at 10:51 pm Wassup-Only pull over if the police car has a solid red light lit on your car. If not, keep driving. You DO NOT have to stop unless the car has a solid red light on.
Now another victim has come forward.
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Posted by Danielle, a resident of Livermore, on Aug 29, 2012 at 12:13 am @ Stayceee When people start asking the victim why they didn't do this or that it takes the blame off where it rightfully should lie ...with the Perpetrator of the crime. That's exactly why she took so long to come forward because she kept telling herself she should have done this or she should have done that. Or she should have listened to her gut that was telling her something was wrong. She was also probably worried that people like you would make her (the victim) feel like she was stupid or should have know better. But its not her fault in any way shape or form its that sicko out there assaulting women and its easy to be on the outside thinking you would have know better but there is no guarantee that if you were in her situation you would not have done the same thing. Its late you hear a siren you pull over.
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Posted by common sense, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2012 at 8:37 am As with all crimes, this should have been reported immediately. By not doing so, you diminish the chances the perp will be caught, further endangering other citizens.
[removed]
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Posted by unknown, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2012 at 11:13 am Common Sense HARSH POSTING!!
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Posted by Danielle, a resident of Livermore, on Aug 29, 2012 at 11:33 am Ok so let's keep focusing on the victim and what she did wrong gosh my faith in humanity is gone
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Posted by just sayin', a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2012 at 11:37 am common sense.. I think you're an arm chair quarterback who thinks they would have done it better. Over-simplifying this nightmarish report so you can preach.. None of us know the details.. you have vomited up the useless..
..and, she DID report the crime! For that, I thank her.
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Posted by Trevor Tooze, a resident of Livermore, on Aug 29, 2012 at 11:41 am "Common Sense", why would you jump to conclusions about the victim. There are a myriad of unfounded reasons out there. Why not jump to a conclusion that favors her, such as she works late in a restaurant, or works two jobs to send her kids to college. Try giving people the benefit of the doubt. She was a victim, and have you any idea how this type of assault effects a woman. This was ghastly, cowardice crime, after all.
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Posted by Danielle, a resident of Livermore, on Aug 29, 2012 at 3:07 pm the scary thing is there have been 2 Rapes now with in two weeks of each other in Pleasanton both happening in close proximity to each other they don't know if the crimes are related but my "common sense" would lead me to believe there is a serial rapist out there praying on women coming home from the bar. This women was ATTACKED August 5th and the Second woman was attacked August 19 in Kottenger park after walking home from a bar at around 2 am, so Please tell all the women in your life to be careful! don't walk to your car by yourself leaving the bar don't walk home alone, take a cab, stay in groups.
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Posted by William Teller, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2012 at 3:19 pm I feel really bad for the victim and shame on those who blame the victim. Too bad Alameda Co. Sherriff won't empower women to defend themselves by allowing concealed carry.
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Posted by Susie , a member of the Vintage Hills Elementary School community, on Aug 29, 2012 at 6:20 pm The first thing that popped into my head, now belonging to AA for some time, is that she was probably walking home from a bar. None the less she is a victim of a horrific crime. My wish is that she reported it right away in order to possibly could have received some DNA to help catch this creep. May God Keep everybody safe and very aware.
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Posted by T, a resident of the Avila neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2012 at 7:05 pm Sexual assault is NOT rape. Not to minimize sexual assault (which, ultimately, could be a pinch in the rear end), but rape is bringing it to a whole different level. Hope they capture this guy as he will be charged with not only sexual assault, but kidnapping as well. Life in prison..
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Posted by Concerned Neighbor, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Aug 30, 2012 at 11:27 am This kind of stuff was happening when I was in college down in SLO, turned out to be a serial rapist and murder, Rex Allan Krebs. Same pattern, targeting women late at night walking home from bars, then moved to breaking and entering. This is serious stuff, this guys needs to be caught and we need to be vigilent as neighboors, friends, and family to catch this sicko before he escalates his behavior.
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Posted by Elena, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Aug 30, 2012 at 12:09 pm Danielle...so spot-on, thank you for writing.
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Posted by WIKI, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Aug 31, 2012 at 6:08 pm Sexual assault- is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children.[1]
The term sexual assault is used, in public discourse, as a generic term that is defined as any involuntary sexual act in which a person is threatened, coerced, or forced to engage against their will, or any sexual touching of a person who has not consented. This includes rape (such as forced vaginal, anal or oral penetration), inappropriate touching, forced kissing, child sexual abuse, or the torture of the victim in a sexual manner.[2][3]
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