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COWETA COUNTY, Ga. - Law enforcement officers activate their blue strobe lights, signaling drivers to pull over. Off-duty East Point Officer Alan Hulet did just that, when he saw those blue lights in his rearview mirror on Interstate 85 in Coweta County late Saturday night. Sheriff's officials say the driver who pulled up behind Officer Hulet with flashing strobe lights wasn't a real police officer. It was suspect Deion Collier.
“[Officer Hulet], he was traveling northbound. He was approached by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. [The suspect Collier] turned on his blue lights. [Officer Hulet] moved over and observed something wasn't right,” said Coweta County Sheriff's Lieutenant John Kennedy.
Lt. Kennedy said the 21 year old suspect, who authorities say was impersonating an officer, was driving a 2008 black Ford Fusion. The real officer, Officer Hulet, called 911.
“[Officer Hulet] identified himself as an off-duty police officer with East Point; that he was actually following the vehicle. He was following a vehicle that he didn't believe was a legitimate police vehicle,” said Kennedy.
While on the phone with 911, Officer Hulet told the dispatcher that Collier realized he was being followed and pointed a gun towards the officer through the car window. The situation came to a head, when Collier pulled over at Exit 56 and approached the officer's vehicle.
“The offender came out of the vehicle and approached [the officer's] vehicle with the firearm still in his hand. That's when [the officer] exited his vehicle produced his firearm, identified himself as a police officer and the individual [suspect Collier] submitted to his commands,” said Kennedy.
A loaded gun, bullets, and flashing strobe were reportedly recovered from Collier's car.
Collier was booked into the Coweta County Jail. He is charged with impersonating a police officer and aggravated assault.