Fake police car with lights and siren is roaming Kansas City streets

Somebody is speeding around Kansas City streets in a phony patrol car complete with lights and siren, police warned Friday.

Several complaints have been called in to police about the navy blue Ford Crown Victoria moving erratically and speeding, mostly in eastern parts of Kansas City.

The car has a decal with the number 447 on its side. Emergency lights appear to be mounted inside the car, police said.

Police have not received any reports that the driver has tried to pull over other motorists or “exert any other kind of police authority.”

Anyone who sees the vehicle is asked to call 911.

The department does not know if the car is a former Kansas City police vehicle.

When the department disposes of old vehicles, department technicians remove all decals, numeric markings and emergency equipment such as lights and sirens. They paint over where decals and markings once existed.

Vehicles then are taken to a salvage yard for crushing.

If the car seen around the city is a former Kansas City police vehicle, the new owner would have had to add the decals and emergency equipment, police said.

If you are stopped by a police vehicle and want to verify the vehicle is legitimate, you can call 911 and ask dispatchers if there is a legitimate officer at the location. You also can ask to see the officer’s badge or police identification card.

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Fake police car with lights and siren is roaming Kansas City streets."