Hillsborough County, FL – A Tampa-area man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after investigators say he allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer by using red and blue emergency-style lights on his vehicle, prompting another driver to pull over.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office about a suspicious black Chevy Equinox traveling into Hillsborough County with red and blue lights activated. Authorities say the lights caused another driver to believe they were being lawfully stopped.
Deputies located the vehicle around 1:21 p.m. near Dale Mabry Highway and Ehrlich Road, a busy corridor in northwest Hillsborough County near Tampa, and conducted a traffic stop.
Investigators identified the driver as Gamal Said, 28, who allegedly admitted to activating the lights to get to work faster. According to deputies, Said was taken into custody without incident.
“Falsely presenting as law enforcement is a serious offense that jeopardizes public safety,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a statement. “Anyone who abuses that trust will be held accountable, and we encourage drivers to call 911 if they are ever unsure about a traffic stop.”
Said was charged with Unlawful Use of a Blue Light and Impersonating a Public Officer, according to authorities. Deputies also reported he had two out-of-county warrants for probation violations related to a prior burglary case involving an unoccupied structure.
Detectives are now asking anyone who believes they may have been pulled over or instructed to pull over by Said before his arrest to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.
The investigation remains active, and officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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