LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Outside of Columbus, a man is facing serious charges after police said he was impersonating a police officer. 

Westerville police said the man illegally pulled someone over in a car that resembled an unmarked police vehicle. 

It is something that’s become instinct for most drivers.

If someone looks up and sees flashing police lights right behind them, they know they’re supposed to pull over.

But what should drivers do if the car pulling you them gives a reason to be skeptical?

“If you’re in an area nearby a public building like a police department of fire department and you’re very concerned that the stop doesn’t seem to be legitimate, it wouldn’t hurt to drive there and park the car and go inside,” Lakewood Police Captain Gary Stone.

Stone said it’s actually very rare for an officer to make a traffic stop in an unmarked vehicle. 

He said officers will usually call for backup from a colleague in a marked vehicle to help them execute the traffic stop.

But in cases where that doesn’t happen, it is OK to call 911.

“Place a 911 call to the law enforcement agency that you’re in that you feel is conducting a traffic stop on your vehicle and ask the person that answers the phone, ‘I’m being pulled over — is this a legitimate traffic stop?’” Stone said.

Stone said making sure the police lights are on top of the car is one way to tell if the officer is legitimate.

But what happens if someone doesn't realize the problem until after the officer approaches the car?

At that point, drivers want to make sure the officer has proper identification.

“Politely say, ‘are you a police officer? What did I do wrong? Why are you stopping my car?’” Stone said.

And while instances of impersonating police officers are rare, it is important for drivers to be aware no matter where they are. 

“It’s always important for drivers to be cognizant. The vast majority of traffic stops are done by a fully marked police car with an officer in uniform,” Stone said.