Barrie woman talks about her strange encounter with a man posing as a cop
A Barrie woman who encountered a man posing as a cop at an accident scene is grateful she followed her instincts and refused to get into his car when he offered.
"I got in a car crash just outside of Barrie Burger," Cady Matheson stated, "a nice woman took me over to [the] Barrie Burger parking lot, and she helped me and sat with me."
Matheson said moments after her vehicle was hit by a truck last week, a man who police said claimed to be a provincial investigator approached her.
"There was a kind of a grey car sitting in the parking lot, and he came over to us and asked me if I wanted to sit in his car because it was hot out and he had air conditioning. I said no," she recalled.
"He asked me again, and then I said no again, and he drove away about five minutes later."
Police say this is one of two suspicious incidents with men falsely identifying as authorities in recent weeks.
RELATED
Man poses as provincial investigator at Barrie crash scene
Barrie police investigating after man poses as OPP officer at traffic stop
Police say a Good Samaritan told officers the man who approached Matheson had quickly shown a badge that didn't have a number or rank on it.
A week prior, on June 18, police say another man wearing green tactical-like pants and tall black boots driving an older model police car with OPP lettering pulled an individual over in a nearby church parking lot.
Police confirmed this incident didn't involve anyone from the OPP, nor did provincial police have any calls for service stemming from the person who was pulled over.
In her case, Matheson said she's thankful there was a woman to help her and that she had the sense to question the situation.
"[It's] scary to know that there's a man like that out on the streets of Barrie. Hopefully, they find him soon and that no one is able to get lured into his car," she said.
Matheson said if anyone else is approached, she hopes they know not to get into a stranger's vehicle, whether it's a man or woman.
"It's always good to just stay on your own, especially if you're vulnerable, especially in Barrie as well, because it's around this area, it's high in trafficking. So just always stay out of someone's car if they ask you to come in."
Police continue to investigate both incidents and say they have not received any additional reports regarding either impersonation incident.
So far, there have been no arrests, and no suspects have been named.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.