Someone is impersonating police in Temple Terrace. Twice now, residents have opened their doors to individuals dressed in what appeared to be dark police uniforms, wearing badges and one of them carried a gun.
In the first case, it was a man and a woman, both White with dark hair. In the second case last week, a man with a badge in dark trousers and a dark shirt knocked on someone's door asking to speak to the homeowner.
Michael Dunn, the Public Information Officer with TTPD said it is not clear what the first couple wanted. The couple managed to talk their way into the first homeowner's home by saying the resident had been a victim of identity theft. No one was hurt in either incident.
In Dunn's words, "You don't have to open your door to anyone. If someone comes to your door saying they're a police officer, first you should ask to see their credentials, because police have credentials that say they are a police officer, and you should ask them why they are there and what they're investigating."
If people become suspicious, Dunn said people should call the police as they know the name of every officer who is sent out.
Dunn said he has not heard of similar incidences of police impersonation recently in the Bay area.
Temple Terrace Police can be reached at 813-989-7110.
