PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – In a bizarre turn of events, a man took deception to the next level after authorities said he posed as a police officer, only to unwittingly seal his own fate.
According to Pembroke Pines police, officers said they received a call from Davonte Clyde Thompson, 29, of Miramar, about a reckless driver in the area.
Authorities said Thompson, who identified himself as a police officer, advised other responding officers that he pulled the vehicle over in the parking lot of TD Bank, located at 7999 Pines Boulevard.
After arriving at the scene, Pembroke Pines police confirmed that Thompson was not an officer and used a stolen police badge to illegally conduct the traffic stop.
Investigators said the stolen police badge belonged to a retired sheriff’s deputy from the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana.
Jail records show Thompson was taken into custody and is facing one count of false impersonation of a police officer.
Thompson appeared in a Broward courtroom Wednesday where he posted bond set at $2,500.
Thompson was last seen driving a silver Volkswagen Altas bearing Florida tag 73BULB, which police say was the vehicle he used during Tuesday’s crime.
Since it is unknown if Thompson committed similar crimes in the past, Pembroke Pines police are asking the public to call them at 954-431-2200 if they believe he has illegally stopped them.