Bravo District

Man Arrested When He Tries to Pull Real Police Officer Over

Occurred on 11/01/12, 10:01pm  Reckless Driving   Ennis Joslin Road/Hwy 358  1211010177

An off-duty Corpus Christi Police Officer called for back-up when a white Ford Crown Victoria began shining a spot light at him in an attempt to pull him over as they traveled westbound on Hwy 358 approaching Airline Road.  Police located the white Ford Crown Victoria as it exited on West Point Road from Hwy 358.

Further investigation revealed the driver Mark Steven Byrne (09/05/52) and  the off-duty Officer were in the center lane as they traveled east on Hwy 358 when Byrne used a spotlight on his Ford Crown Victoria to light up another vehicle traveling in the fast lane.

That vehicle suddenly braked along with Byrne, causing the off-duty Officer swerve into the right to avoid rear-ending the Crown Victoria.  Byrne then began following the off-duty Officer and shining the spot light at him as he attempted to pull him over.  Byrne kept shining the spot light at the off-duty Officer’s rear view mirrors and waving at him to pull over as he took the Ennis Joslin exit.  When Byrne continued on and made a U-turn, the off-duty Officer was able to follow him and call Police.

Byrne was arrested and charged with Reckless Driving and his vehicle impounded.  Police are also conducting an investigation into the Impersonation of a Public Servant.

The Corpus Christi Police Department requires that only police cars with emergency equipment conduct a traffic stop.  If you are being pulled over, look for these three things that can help you tell a fake cop from a real one.

  • Location
    Officers will pull you over in areas which are well-lit when ever possible.
  • Lights
    Police cars will be marked with emergency equipment.
    Lights are red, blue, and white.
  • Vehicle
    Will be marked with Police Department logos

If feel you are still concerned that the police officer is fake, the Corpus Christi Police Department requests that you ask for the Police Officer’s identification or call 911.  Police dispatchers know where Officers are at all times.