ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 23, 1995                   TAG: 9502230099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FRANKLIN SHERIFF SEEKING MAN WHO STOPS VEHICLES

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has joined a multijurisdictional effort to try to apprehend a man who is stopping vehicles while posing as a police officer.

The man is believed to be driving a small, light-colored car and has stopped vehicles in Franklin, Roanoke and Bedford counties, said Franklin County Sheriff W.Q. "Quint" Overton.

Most of the incidents were near the Franklin County line in Roanoke and Bedford counties.

Overton said the latest complaint by someone in Franklin County was filed Monday after a man was stopped on Virginia 681 near the Roanoke County line and Smith Mountain Lake.

The man used a blue flashing light on his dash to pull over the car, Overton said. The man also may use a blue light located in the grille of his vehicle, according to Overton.

The man usually asks the people he stops for their drivers' licenses.

To his knowledge, Overton said, the man hasn't threatened anyone. 


 by CNB