Impersonating a Cop Backfires Spectacularly for This Florida Man

impersonating a cop isn't very smart. Remember playing cops and robbers when you were a kid? Well, this Florida man decided it'd be a bright idea to play cop as an adult. Now, most of us know that throwing red and blue lights on your ride and pretending you’re a Law man isn’t just stupid… It’s illegal. But this guy? Let’s just say Frank Michael DeJiulio, Jr. missed that memo in a big way.

According to WFLA, a detective with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office spots a black Dodge Charger rolling by, looking suspiciously like an undercover cop car. It had all the bells and whistles too… Black wheels, a push bar, even those sneaky clear LED lights that only show their true colors when they flash. And boy, did Frank decide to flash ‘em.

So, our man in the Charger hits the red and blue lights and cruises right through a red light. In front of a real detective! Yeah, the kind of move that screams, Pull me over! The detective, was quick to call for backup, and in no time, real actual cops pulled Frank over to put an end to his fake police performance.

Now, impersonating a cop isn’t some slap-on-the-wrist offense. It’s serious, especially when you're driving around flashing the same lights real cops use. So, Frank got hit with charges for impersonation and illegally using those lights. And here’s the cherry on top… The car belonged to his girlfriend! Imagine explaining that to her when the Charger got towed.

And it doesn’t stop there. The sheriff’s office is looking for anyone who might’ve had a run-in with this dude while he was impersonating a cop. They’re hoping he wasn’t out there pulling over unsuspecting drivers. But who knows? With Frank’s track record, it seems anything’s possible.

So, if you’re out there and still think dressing up your car to look like a cop’s is cool, maybe try the Batmobile instead. Maybe KITT from Knight Rider? But not a police car. Cops hate it, it’s illegal, and it’ll cost you.

I understand the headline is quite lengthy, but it was needed to really tell the story. 22-year-old Stephen Peterson of Port Orange and 20-year-old Victoria Averill had quite an adventure before it all ended at the Flagler County Landfill.

It all started on June 21st in Flagler Beach, Florida when our Florida Man and his accomplice drove through the intersection of State Road 100 East and Old Kings Road South and strike multiple vehicles. That's just off I95 near the Popeye's. The SUV then continued south on Old Kings Road at a high rate of speed. The incident was spotted by a  MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife officer who then attempted to stop the vehicle. The FWC officer activated his emergency lights and siren but the vehicle did not stop. Does the FWC even have authority to pull over vehicles? I'm not sure. Anyway...

Then, according to Flagler County Sheriff "The vehicle entered the property of Old Kings Elementary School and drove around the running track before exiting the school and continuing to flee down Old Kings Road. The vehicle then entered the Flagler County Landfill and into the wooded area between the landfill and I-95." And that's where things went wrong.

Flagler County Fire Rescue Fireflight, which is the fire department's helicopter, monitored the vehicle's location and directed deputies to the vehicles location. The vehicle had run into and become stuck on a concrete barrier. This next line, sums it up nicely. "The male was naked except for a small covering wrapped around his waist and socks. It is unknown why the male was not wearing more clothing."

From the FCSO "Peterson was arrested for Fleeing and Eluding, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Damage to Vehicle or Property, Resisting an Officer without Violence, Trespassing on School Grounds, Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Equipment. Averill was arrested for Trespassing on School Grounds, Possession of Marijuana Under 20 Grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Equipment. Peterson is being held on $19,500 bond and Averill is being held on $3,000 bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility."