FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. — A local teen says she was targeted this week by two men who were posing as police officers.
Amanda Roeske, 18, said she was driving home alone on Pine Avenue at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, when a vehicle pulled up behind her.
"I have no idea where the vehicle came from. I didn't see it behind me until they hit the flashers," she told Action News.
Roeske said the driver blinded her with his high-beam lights and that she could only see red and blue flashing lights coming from the front dash.
She assumed she was being pulled over by police, but remembered what her father told her.
"He said if I'm ever alone and pulled over to always keep the windows up, the doors locked and keep it in drive until I see some sort of badge or ID."
Roeske said moments later, she made out the outline of a dark figure wearing a hoodie next to her window.
"I was just sitting in my car and he comes up and starts hitting the window really hard. Then I saw the hand of another guy on the passenger side. He was trying to open the door."
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Roeske then realized the men weren't officers. Another glance back revealed they were driving a dark-colored van.
She knew she was in trouble.
"It was like instant just to take off from there."
Roeske sped off, called 911, and the Clay County Sheriff's Office began searching for the suspects.
"I saw them pull into a neighborhood, but I kept heading toward home."
A spokesperson for the Clay County Sheriffs Office told Action News the investigation is moving forward, but few details were available to release.
Roeske said detectives told her she may have been a target because she drives a car similar to an old police cruiser. She is now speaking out, hoping to save someone else.
"If they're willing to take somebody's car, even pull me over and try to approach me, there's no telling what else they're willing to do."
The CCSO sent Action News the following advice regarding safety during a traffic stop:
"For unmarked police cars, it is fine if the driver calls the non-emergency line to confirm with dispatch that the traffic stop is legit (i.e., that a deputy/officer has logged with dispatch that he/she is making a traffic stop at a location that matches). Generally, also a good idea to put on your flashers, slow down and drive to a well-lit store or gas station where there are people around (again ... just talking about unmarked) ... once on line with the dispatcher, communicate that this is your plan.
"If it is a marked car ... pull over ... the info above only applies to unmarked cars."
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