New Jersey – State Police Impersonator Arrested After Pulling Over Real Cop

New Jersey – Scott Linton’s 1992 Toyota 4-Runner had all the bells and whistles to make even the most careful motorist believe he was a New Jersey State Trooper. Decked out with police-style strobe lights, a State Police insignia and the blaring siren that most highway motorists dread hearing, investigators claim Linton used his mock cruiser to try and stop at least 13 cars on the Garden State Parkway over the past year.

But police learned of his charade last month, when Linton allegedly tried to pull over a Green Brook police officer, sparking an investigation that landed him in the custody of real state roopers on Wednesday, authorities said.

Linton, 45, of Carteret, was arrested at his home Wednesday and charged with impersonating a police officer, according to N.J. State Police Detective Brian Polite.

At least 13 motorists, including the Green Brook officer, identified Linton as the man who tried to pull them over on the Parkway, said Polite.

Investigators aren’t sure why Linton was allegedly masquerading as a law enforcement agent on one of the state’s busiest highways, but they became aware of his behavior on Feb. 8, when he pulled up behind the Green Brook officer and attempted to conduct a motor-vehicle stop.

Polite said it wasn’t clear if the officer stopped when Linton tried to pull him over, but he wrote down the license plate of the Carteret resident’s 4-Runner, leading to his arrest Wednesday.

Authorities are urging any drivers who believe Linton tried to stop them to contact the State Police.

A search of the vehicle revealed Linton had all the tools to play the role he allegedly portrayed. Detectives recovered a fraudulent police ID, a P.A. system, sirens, strobe lights, a handheld police scanner and a State Police insignia that read “state trooper” from his 4-Runner Wednesday, according to Polite.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Linton had previously worked with a law enforcement agency or security firm, or if he had a criminal record, said Polite. The 45 year old was released on his own recognizance Wednesday, pending a court appearance.

Polite was unable to say if the sirens and other police equipment that detectives seized were returned to Linton, citing the ongoing investigation.

Troopers do occasionally perform motor vehicle stops in unmarked vehicles, said Polite, who offered some advice to drivers that aren’t sure if the officer telling them to pull over is the genuine article.

“Troopers do utilize unmarked police cars in uniform, it’s just not marked police cars out there,” Polite said. “If you’re pulled over for a motor vehicle violation and you feel like something is not right, you can call 911 and explain the situation and request a marked unit to come out there.”