When Gustavo Estrada-Molina got pulled over in the middle of the afternoon Thursday in Cocoa, he thought, "Here we go again."

  • Man says unmarked Chevy Impala with police lights pulled him over
  • Driver had badge, name tag, says Gustavo Estrada-Molina
  • Driver said Estrada-Molina had to pay a fine immediately
  • Police: Always call 911 if you question legitimacy of officer

Behind him near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Michigan Avenue was an unmarked Chevrolet Impala with police lights flashing. Inside it was a well-groomed, clean shaven man who came to Estrada-Molina's window.

"Everything yelled 'undercover cop' — the (embroidered) uniform, badge and name tag," Estrada-Molina said.

Estrada-Molina said he's been pulled over twice in the past couple of months for traffic infractions.

"At this point, I just rolled my eyes and said to myself, 'What else' — I'm so sorry about this, officer," he said.

The "officer" told the young driver his car was going to be impounded because of expired insurance.

"The car would be impounded if I did not pay a fine immediately," he said. "OK, officer, what do I need to do, because I don't have any cash?" he asked.

"Well, what's your bank?" Estrada-Molina recalls the man said.

The man followed Estrada-Molina to a nearby Bank of America, where the ATM notified him that if he withdrew $100, he would overdraft. But in fear, he did it anyway.

The "officer" left, and the victim returned home, broke, dejected and embarrassed.

"If they are ever in doubt, call 911," the Cocoa Police Department's Yvonne Martinez said.

Police urge anyone who is pulled over and concerned about the legitimacy of the officer to call 911 right away.

"Every officer conducting a traffic stop must radio in, give their ID number and the car description," Martinez said.

For Estrada-Molina, he just wants this police impersonator caught.

"You're not a cop; you know what you are. You are a fraud. And I hope you get what's coming to you," he said.

Estrada-Molina is working with the bank to possibly get his money back.

Police are combing over the ATM surveillance video for any clues. If you have any information about this fake cop case, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.