[954Stealth]

BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) — The lawyer for a Massachusetts man facing charges of impersonating a police officer for driving around a Maserati painted to resemble a police cruiser calls the case against his client "silly."

Attorney Russell Matson tells The Patriot Ledger (http://bit.ly/1qmSewZ ) his client "never pretended to be a cop," and even told police in advance he was going to decorate his car to look like the character Barricade from a "Transformers" movie.

Matson did not disclose his client's name. The luxury Italian vehicle's body was painted black and white with a police-style shield on the doors, and police-related decals. The door shield was accompanied by the phrase "Decepticons punish and enslave," from the movie.

The driver was pulled over on Aug. 9. He was not arrested but summoned to court on Sept. 4.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...ref=weird-news

http://www.patriotledger.com

[TORAY]

Knowing MA cops or likely any states it was bound to happen.
I have actually seen the car in person.
The car looked great with good quality.

[son_of_siggy]

I could see the 9-1-1 and Speed Enforcement on his rear bumper being misleading. The Deceptions on the side is pretty clear, but if you were behind or in front of this vehicle you may not know the difference. That said, there IS a difference in my opinion from looking like a cop, and impersonating a cop. In that same token they don't arrest people for looking like a prostitute . . .

[bga23]

Are there not better things the police can be doing with their time? No real criminals to catch??

[954Stealth]

Originally Posted by son_of_siggy

I could see the 9-1-1 and Speed Enforcement on his rear bumper being misleading. The Deceptions on the side is pretty clear, but if you were behind or in front of this vehicle you may not know the difference. That said, there IS a difference in my opinion from looking like a cop, and impersonating a cop. In that same token they don't arrest people for looking like a prostitute . . .

That's a good point.
I can't tell you how many times a day I see the old, surplus Crown Vics being driven around town by people who probably bought them at auction.
They still look like cops (from a distance) but they don't get stopped.

[Arsonism]

Originally Posted by 954Stealth

That's a good point.
I can't tell you how many times a day I see the old, surplus Crown Vics being driven around town by people who probably bought them at auction.
They still look like cops (from a distance) but they don't get stopped.

I was about to bring up this very same point. It's something that they encourage so that they can get new vehicles. I've even seen some of the new chargers out there with the cop rims on them with similar color schemes. Because they don't have the upgraded/varied front lights anymore they all look the same. Freaks me out every time, especially when the go the extra mile for the spot light.

Interesting that this was such a big deal, but it probably came down to the fact that they didn't have anything else on him and they're envious of the owners success behind that car.

[CMann]

To be honest I think they just want to make an example of him. The story is interesting/different enough thanks to the fact the car is a Maserati and it's painted to look like a Transformer that media will pick up on it. They're just sending a message.

[zx10guy]

If this car is a problem for police, what about the ones that are actually built out to be police cars but without pertinent police department paint scheme/markings? I was freaked out for a bit when I saw a fully outfitted cruiser closing up on me on a highway. It turned out to be one of the rolling demo cars for a police equipment supply company. I don't see cops pulling these vehicles over.

[Billup]

I'm more ashamed that anyone would believe a Maserati in the states would be a legitimate police vehicle to begin with.

I think the most extreme I've seen was a Viper back in MI, but it was a DARE cop car.

[zx10guy]

I personally saw a 4th gen Z28 and a Corvette of the same vintage in fully marked Troy, NY PD schema and light bars.

[Vigilante375]

There is a C6 Z06 (from a drug bust) as a cop car in a State somewhere and I think in MI or OH they have Hayabusa's for their motorcycle cops.

Every place has a couple of out of the norm police car since a Crown Vic isn't going to be keeping up with a Vette or Fox body. Even the Hemi Chargers are slow but thats because they have to add 500+ lbs of crap to it.

The guy did this and should pay for it. From the back and certain angles you WOULD think its a cop car. Some people would think that a Maserati being used by the popo is weird but others would be like, "ZOMG!!! Its the police!" because they have no clue about cars.

[ska///235i]

Charges has been dropped

[E90SLAM]

Same thing happened several years ago in Vegas when a father painted his Mustang black and white. Put on similar "To punish and enslave" for his son, who's a huge Transformer fan.

Anyone recall what happened afterwards?

[s4play]

The charges are ludicrous however....

- It could be mistaken for a police car easily however not sure if is any laws against that

- Many CA motorcycle riders like to ride "police type" bikes and even go as far to wear white helmets and their bikes are black/white. This gives the unspoken illusion they are LE and thus people tend to move out of their way

- I think regardless it draws a lot of un-necessary attention to the car's owner (good or bad) Just think if a crook was robbing a bank and see you pull up, he just might open fire on you, or if a lady is in trouble and runs to you thinking you are a law enforcement officer.

For me, I would never do it but just my 2 cents

[s4play]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

There is a C6 Z06 (from a drug bust) as a cop car in a State somewhere and I think in MI or OH they have Hayabusa's for their motorcycle cops.

Every place has a couple of out of the norm police car since a Crown Vic isn't going to be keeping up with a Vette or Fox body. Even the Hemi Chargers are slow but thats because they have to add 500+ lbs of crap to it.

The guy did this and should pay for it. From the back and certain angles you WOULD think its a cop car. Some people would think that a Maserati being used by the popo is weird but others would be like, "ZOMG!!! Its the police!" because they have no clue about cars.

Oklahoma highway patrol has these Hayabusa's. My hometown of Naperville has Corvette police vehicles since they are too rich!


Heck even white bikes in general can pass for cop bikes, this is one of the reasons I sold my white LE a while back:

[V1.47fan]

They should go after these guys as well then...pretty silly.

[M_Six]

I delivered The Patriot Ledger as a kid. Hated the paper route. We had to put them inside everyone's screen doors. No tossing them onto the front lawn or driveway.

[bacardi198]

Glad the charges were dropped...no different than a Crown Vic or Impala with the old paint scheme and brush guard on it being sold at auction.