LAURINBURG — A Richmond County man is accused of pretending to be a cop in Scotland County.
According to the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were in the process of conducting a traffic stop on Feb. 6 when an unfamiliar patrol car passed by.
The deputies then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle — a 2017 Dodge Charger with a police package — driven by 19-year-old Rusty Allen, whose address is southeast of Hamlet. Investigators say the car was unmarked.
The stop occurred on X Way Road, near the intersection with Leisure Road, southeast of Gibson, documents show.
According to a magistrate’s order, the car was outfitted with blue lights and 5% window tint. Deputies also allege that Allen operated radar to clock traffic without being licensed or certified as a speed measurement operator.
Investigators say Allen was arrested at the scene and charged with a single misdemeanor count of impersonating a law enforcement officer. Court records show he was also issued traffic citations for a window tint violation and a license plate cover violation.
Allen was released on a $15,000 unsecured bond and is scheduled to appear in Scotland County District Court on March 11.
Records show Allen has no prior convictions and charges filed in 2024 were dismissed.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
