Cop impersonator approaches kids on Pontiac playground

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WJBK) - A man impersonating a police officer approached two children on the playground at a Pontiac elementary school on February 20, reinforcing the need for stranger danger awareness.

Pontiac resident Sherry Shishani, who lives near the school, said she saw the incident unfold.

"I saw a Blazer or Kia whatever it was black and a white man was in there and he handed some kids something," she said.

Investigators said two 10-year-old boys were playing basketball on school property when a man in a black Kia SUV parked in the fire lane of the school called the kids over. He gave them a $20 bill and a football and said he's a cop.

"He says he's with SWAT. He's got a silver revolver sitting on his lap," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

Investigators said what the man was wearing is also concerning

"He's got some kind of badge hanging around neck (and) some kind of ball cap with SRT in silver writing which, by the way, we don't have a SRT unit anymore," Bouchard said.

The kids said the man told them to stay in school and then left the area. Pontiac mom Kristen Ross said the incident is scary

"That's not safe - he could have done anything to them," she said.

That's why investigators want kids to be cautious

"Don't approach a car who you don't know who the person is or what's going on cause then you are getting closer to being within reach," Bouchard said.

The boys said the man is white, has tattoos of words or writing on his arms, and was wearing all black clothing and has brown hair. Investigators want anyone with information to call the Oakland County Sheriff's Office so they can find this man before he strikes again.

The office can be reached at (248) 858-4951.