Gaithersburg, MD (JK) – A St. Mary’s County man is facing criminal charges after Montgomery County Police say he attempted to conduct a traffic stop on one of their own officers while pretending to be a law enforcement officer.
According to investigators, 42-year-old Melvin Andrew Pinkney Jr. of California, Maryland was driving a privately owned Ford Taurus in downtown Silver Spring around 12:15 a.m. Monday, June 15, when he approached an unmarked Montgomery County police cruiser from behind and activated red and blue emergency lights to initiate a stop.
Police say Pinkney exited his vehicle wearing a holster, but returned to the car after the officer activated the cruiser’s emergency equipment. During the encounter, Pinkney claimed he was working security at a nearby restaurant and identified himself as an active-duty deputy sheriff with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and a retired Metropolitan Police Department officer. Investigators say he was carrying a handgun and had a valid concealed carry permit but was unable to provide any law enforcement credentials.
Detectives determined the Ford Taurus was a personal vehicle and was not authorized to display police-style emergency lights. Pinkney was arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with impersonating a police officer. He is being held without bond.
Detectives are investigating whether Pinkney may have stopped other motorists while posing as law enforcement. Anyone who believes they had contact with him is asked to submit a tip through Crime Solvers of Montgomery County or call 1-866-411-8477.
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