Calgary, AB,
13
November
2015
|
14:13
America/Denver

Police lay charges in October police impersonations

The Calgary Police Service has laid charges in a series of police impersonations that occurred last month.

Between 11 p.m. and 11:15 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, police received multiple reports of a vehicle pulling other cars over with a flashing strobe light, claiming to be police officers and demanding cash from other drivers. In the final incident that night, the victim was chased by the suspects, forced to stop, pulled from his vehicle and robbed.

Police tracked the suspects to a residence in the Beddington Heights area and took three people into custody. A Dodge Charger was also found at the residence that matched the description of the vehicle involved in the incidents and officers confirmed that it did contain lights that could be used to pull people over.

Charges have now been laid in relation to two of the incidents that night and more charges are possible in a third incident.

Matthew Owen OSBERG, 20, and Tyler Lance SANDERSON, 24, both of Calgary, are each charged with two counts of falsely representing themselves to be a peace officer, one count of extortion and one count of robbery. OSBERG is next scheduled to appear in court on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, and SANDERSON is next scheduled to appear in court on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.

The third person taken into custody was found not to be connected to the incidents and was released without charge.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with additional information about these or similar incidents is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: tttTIPS.com
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

The law requires that people pull over when a police vehicle flashes its lights behind them. However the Calgary Police Service has the follow tips for drivers to protect their safety:

  • Almost all Calgary Police Service traffic stops are done in marked vehicles or in unmarked vehicles driven by police officers dressed in full uniform.
  • Marked vehicles always have red and blue lights on top, and the Calgary Police Service crest and word “POLICE” on the side. When conducting a traffic stop, the red and blue lights will be flashing, as will the vehicle’s headlights.
  • Unmarked vehicles have red and blue flashing lights built into the vehicle’s grill and interior. When conducting a traffic stop, the red and blue lights will be flashing, as will the vehicle’s headlights.
  • An officer not wearing a uniform may conduct a traffic stop in an unmarked vehicle, though this is extremely rare. Non-uniformed police officers are required to carry identification at all times (picture ID and a badge) and drivers have the right to ask for that identification.
  • If a driver is not sure about a vehicle pulling them over, they should immediately call 911.
  • A driver should never exit his or her vehicle during a traffic stop, unless they are asked to do so by a police officer.
  • When conducting a traffic stop, police officers usually approach the vehicle they have pulled over in a reasonably-prompt fashion. They always identify themselves as police officers and they will never demand money.

Case# 15453820, 15453844, 15453835 / 3477