SILVER SPRING, Md. — A St. Mary’s County man was arrested after police reported he activated red and blue emergency lights on a privately owned car and attempted to pull over a Montgomery County police officer in downtown Silver Spring.
Melvin Andrew Pinkney Jr., 42, of California, Maryland, was charged with impersonating a police officer following the June 15, 2026, incident.
According to Montgomery County Police, the incident occurred around 12:15 a.m. while an officer assigned to the 2nd District Special Assignment Team was driving an unmarked police cruiser during a proactive enforcement detail.
Pinkney, driving a Ford Taurus, approached the officer’s cruiser from behind, activated red and blue emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop, according to police.
As Pinkney got out of the Ford while wearing a holster, the officer activated the cruiser’s emergency equipment. Pinkney then returned to his vehicle.
The officer exited his cruiser and spoke with Pinkney, who claimed he was working security at a nearby restaurant. Pinkney also identified himself as an active-duty deputy sheriff with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and a retired police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department, according to police.
Pinkney had a handgun and a valid concealed carry permit but did not provide any law enforcement credentials, police reported.
Investigators determined Pinkney’s Ford Taurus was privately owned and not authorized as a law enforcement vehicle. The use of red and blue emergency lights on the vehicle was illegal, according to police.
Pinkney was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
Detectives believe there may be additional people who were stopped by Pinkney while he was posing as a law enforcement officer.
Anyone who may have been stopped by Pinkney is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-8477 or submit a tip through www.crimesolversmcmd.org.
Court records show Pinkney was initially held without bond June 15. After a bail review hearing June 16 in Montgomery District Court in Rockville, he was granted a $5,000 unsecured personal bond, which was posted the same day.
A trial is set for July 30 in Montgomery District Court in Rockville.
Watch the video below to learn how to identify a Montgomery County Police officer:
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I mean you have to be a certified idiot right?
This story is actually funny. What’s sad is how many people did he pull over before this.
Criminals aren’t very bright these days.
“Pinkney had … a valid concealed carry permit” Keyword is HAD. What a dumb way to lose something that has been so difficult to get in Maryland.