Police are advising motorists to be careful if they are pulled over because someone is in the area impersonating a police officer.

The Sycamore Police Department has reported that a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, neatly groomed, with a medium build and light brown or dishwater-blond hair is allegedly impersonating a DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy.

An incident happened Friday when a woman was pulled over in the K Mart parking lot, 2700 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore. The car the man was driving is described as an unmarked four-door maroon or dark brown sedan with a flashing red and white light.

Police said the traffic stop was not legitimate and the man is not a police officer. The woman was detained for an hour inside the man’s car and then she was released without harm.

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said that in most routine traffic stops when the driver is not taken into custody, the motorist is not asked to sit in the officer’s vehicle.

Scott said the impersonator is absolutely not anyone in the sheriff’s department.”

Sycamore Police Sgt. Tom Scott said they have some suspects, and the man has no legal or lawful connection with any law enforcement agencies.

Tom Scott said the Sycamore Police are trying to confirm the whereabouts of some suspects they have and the investigation is continuing.

Roger Scott offered some safety tips for drivers, reminding motorists that unmarked county police cars don’t usually make traffic stops unless it is a flagrant offense.

He also said most police departments have red and blue flashing lights and white strobe lights.

Motorists who are uncertain if the car attempting to stop them is a real police car should go to well-lit or populated areas, Roger Scott said. Because of previous incidents in the suburbs, the Sheriff’s Department will now follow people to welllit or populated areas as long as the motorist does not take evasive action.

Anyone who has information on the subject is asked to call the Sycamore Police at 895-2123.