Florida man attempts traffic stop on undercover vehicle, sheriff’s office says

A man arrested Wednesday in Hillsborough County is accused of attempting to conduct a traffic stop on an undercover sheriff’s office vehicle. Nadi Jabari, 46, of Temple Terrace, faces charges of false presentation, unlawful use of blue light, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, records show. Bodycam video shared Thursday by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies arresting Jabari after finding flashing red and blue lights in the SUV he was driving. Deputies had already seen the same SUV activate the red and blue lights while it was following an undercover sheriff’s office vehicle on U.S. Highway 301 North in Thonotosassa, the post states. The deputies quickly intervened and conducted their own traffic stop on the SUV, recovering not only the illegal light setup, but an additional 2-foot emergency light bar and a firearm as well, according to the agency’s website. In Florida, blue lights are prohibited on any vehicle or equipment besides police vehicles, according to state statutes. “When someone falsely presents themselves as law enforcement, they threaten the trust that exists between deputies and the community we serve,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “This individual’s actions were dangerous, deliberate, and illegal. We will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to impersonate a deputy and use that deception to intimidate or endanger others.” Jabari was being held on no bond at the time of this writing.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. —

A man arrested Wednesday in Hillsborough County is accused of attempting to conduct a traffic stop on an undercover sheriff’s office vehicle.

Nadi Jabari, 46, of Temple Terrace, faces charges of false presentation, unlawful use of blue light, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, records show.

Bodycam video shared Thursday by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies arresting Jabari after finding flashing red and blue lights in the SUV he was driving.

Deputies had already seen the same SUV activate the red and blue lights while it was following an undercover sheriff’s office vehicle on U.S. Highway 301 North in Thonotosassa, the post states.

The deputies quickly intervened and conducted their own traffic stop on the SUV, recovering not only the illegal light setup, but an additional 2-foot emergency light bar and a firearm as well, according to the agency’s website.

In Florida, blue lights are prohibited on any vehicle or equipment besides police vehicles, according to state statutes.

“When someone falsely presents themselves as law enforcement, they threaten the trust that exists between deputies and the community we serve,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “This individual’s actions were dangerous, deliberate, and illegal. We will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to impersonate a deputy and use that deception to intimidate or endanger others.”

Jabari was being held on no bond at the time of this writing.