May 24, 2012
IRONTON, Oh (WSAZ) -- The Ohio Highway Patrol wants to know who was in a white Crown Victoria that pulled over a woman near Ironton a few weeks ago.
Troopers tell WSAZ.com that several people are of interest in this case but one man is saying he is being harassed by police for what he calls helping his fellow driver.
With a trunk full of highway safety gear in his white Crown Victoria police interceptor, cab driver Stacy Ellis says for the two years he and two others, with license plates, t-shirts and white Crown Victoria's, have called themselves the Southern Ohio Response Team.
He said they cruise U.S. 52 through Lawrence and Scioto County.
“I’ve never pulled a car over," Stacy Ellis said. "I’ve only tried to assist the disabled and help in car wrecks.”
On Wednesday night, Portsmouth police pulled Ellis over.
The police report said they advised him to not use his light bar with the illegal red lights.
“They said the Jackson Highway Patrol put a bolo out on my car, be on the lookout - and said even if have no lights on my car I can't stop and help," Ellis said. "Our understanding was that red in Ohio stood for emergency.”
Only sanctioned law enforcement and emergency vehicles can run with red or blue lights
The Ohio Highway Patrol Sgt. investigating the police impersonation case said Ellis is a person of interest but that there was no bolo order put out on him or his car
He also said Mr. Ellis has never been talked to by investigators or told he can't stop and help drivers.
Ellis showed WSAZ.com multiple incident reports of helping disabled drivers. Although these reports go nowhere and are seen by no one else.
Hanging Rock police chief said he knows Ellis and friends cruise but do not stop to help.
“I’ve seen them go up and down the road but never seen them stop and help a motorist,” Chief Chris Steed said.
Investigators said the police impersonator pulled the woman over on Route 93 just off U.S. 52.
“The only time I’m on 93 is going to the pick and save," said Ellis
Ellis said he has never pulled someone over.
Any groups out to help disabled drivers are supposed to notify area law enforcement.
No area police, sheriffs or troopers in Lawrence County said they have been contacted by the Southern Ohio Response Team
Stacy Ellis said he got the ok that he was legal from a deputy on an accident scene.
Investigators will not say if the other two team members are among the people of interest in this ongoing and very active case.
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