CHICAGO — A man posing as a police officer is asking people to help him with a criminal investigation and then robbing them at gunpoint, officials said Friday.
The man, who identifies himself as a federal officer named Agent or Officer Franklin, pulls over in a tan SUV with temporary license plates to talk to pedestrians.
The man convinces victims to get into his car "under the guise of a criminal investigation," according to a community alert.
The man then drives the SUV several blocks away, parks, pulls out a semi-automatic handgun and robs the victim, police said.
The robberies occurred 2:10 p.m. Tuesday in the 8100 block of South Paxton Avenue and 3 p.m. Sept. 15 in the 7700 block of South Colfax Avenue, the alert said.
The impersonator is described as black, 40-50 years old, 6-feet tall and weighing 250 pounds. He is bald with sideburns that grow into a goatee or mustache. He does not show police credentials or wear a uniform, police said.
He was last seen driving a tan SUV, possibly a late model Mercury Mountaineer, with temporary plates.
Anyone with information is asked to call 312-747-8273.
Police advise anyone approached by someone who says they are a member of law enforcement to ask for identification.
