Police Impersonator Steals Woman’s Purse

GEISMAR, La. (AP) — Ascension Parish sheriff's deputies are searching for a man impersonating a police officer who pulled a Geismar woman's car over, stole her purse and fled.

Chief Deputy Tony Bacala tells The Advocate the victim noticed a white van following her Tuesday night. When the woman stopped her car, Bacala said, the van, which had a flashing white light on the dashboard, pulled in behind her.

Bacala said the man got out of the van and walked to the woman's car to tell the victim he was a police officer investigating drug activity in the area.

The man instructed the woman to put her purse on the hood, and get back in her car. The man then took her purse and drove away.