Authorities say they pulled over a driver in front of a real officer

The Associated Press

FORT WORTH — Two teenagers arrested after allegedly posing as fake police officers and pulling over a driver right in front of a real police officer were "trying to live out their fantasy," police said.

One of the suspects had been telling friends he was a sheriff's deputy and the other told police he had planned to major in criminology in college and then apply to be a police officer, Fort Worth Police Detective Scott Campbell said on Friday.

Nasr Emad Saleh, 18, and Lonnie Lee Berry III, 19, were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of impersonating officers after they allegedly pulled over a motorist right in front of Fort Worth police.

Thinking it was a legitimate stop, the real officer pulled over to assist. He became suspicious when he realized the two men weren't following protocol and had unusual flashing blue and red lights on their car.

The teens wore T-shirts emblazoned with "Sheriff" across the fronts. They also carried air pistols that looked similar to real guns, police said.

"I think it was just two young kids out there trying to live out their fantasy," Campbell said. "With the red and blue lights, the BB and pellet guns and the badge and sheriff T-shirts, I think they got a power rush off it — an adrenaline rush off the stop and making contact with the violator."

Saleh didn't immediately return a phone message Saturday and no one answered at the number listed for Berry.

There was no evidence the men were trying to extort money or had any other motive for making the traffic stop, Campbell said. The motorist said Saleh told him he had been speeding, but Saleh told police he pulled over the motorist for reckless driving.

The pair also said they had pulled over a man in Arlington earlier in the day. They said they let the driver off with a warning.

"I believe he had a back tail light out," Campbell said.

Saleh and Berry were released from the Mansfield Jail on Friday after posting $5,000 bail.

Originally Posted by kwflatbed The pair also said they had pulled over a man in Arlington earlier in the day. They said they let the driver off with a warning.