'Serial' cop impersonator is arrested for the fourth time, Florida sheriff says

Mark Price, The Charlotte Observer on Apr 23, 2025

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An accused “serial” police impersonator has been arrested for the fourth time in Florida, after investigators said his latest victim started to get suspicious.

Albert Dolan, 60, was pretending to be a cop April 21 when he pulled over the driver on suspicion of speeding in the Orlando area, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in an affidavit.

Dolan was accused of doing the same thing previously in 1994, 2017 and 2018, the sheriff’s office said.

In the latest incident, the victim was compelled to stop after recognizing all the earmarks of “an unmarked police unit,” including flashing lights, the sheriff’s office said.

“A male approached vehicle and asked for his license. (The driver) hesitated and asked why, at which time the male stated (he) was speeding, leading (him) to ask to see the male’s ID or badge,” the affidavit states.

“The male did not respond and walked back to his vehicle for approximately 1-2 minutes. The male then came back to vehicle and stated he could leave but (the victim) insisted on seeing his badge or his ID. The male then said no ... and walked back to his vehicle.”

The driver called 911 to report the encounter, and gave a description of the vehicle and its license plate number, officials said.

Deputies used the information to track down a suspect at his home in Ocoee, and “the victim positively identified (Dolan) as the male who conducted the traffic stop,” officials said.

The previous instances of impersonation occurred in Winter Garden and Orlando, officials said.

“It should be noted that the Winter Garden Police Department informed the Orange County Sheriff’s Office that (Dolan) has a history of purchasing former police vehicles with lights and sirens still attached,” the sheriff’s office said.

The department lauded the driver for asking about identification, and for calling 911 when he got suspicious.

“We encourage individuals who believe they are being falsely pulled over to call 911 to verify the traffic stop,” the sheriff’s office said.

“If they are pulled over and the person presenting themselves as a law enforcement officer is in plain clothes without any ‘Police’ or ‘Sheriff’ markings, we encourage them to ask for identification.”

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