Police: Tulsa Man Pulled Over Driver, Exposed Himself

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Police arrested a Tulsa man accused of impersonating an officer and indecent exposure.

Police say 21-year-old Joshua Smith used a spotlight and a PA system to trick a woman into pulling over on Sunday night. But she quickly realized something wasn't right.

Police say around 11:45 on Sunday night, a woman was just pulling into her apartment complex near 73rd and Wheeling when a Black Crown Victoria shined a spotlight on her.

The driver then used a loudspeaker to call the 48-year-old woman over to his car. The victim did as she was told, but quickly discovered the driver's pants were unzipped and he was touching himself sexually.

"She backs up immediately. He gets out and follows her for a few feet and says ‘my identification is in the car. Get in the car with me, I'll show you,'" explained Tulsa Police Sgt. Mark Mears.

Police say the woman called her boyfriend who was close by in their apartment.

"When her boyfriend got there, she was trembling and balled up in fear when he got there, same with the officers," Mears said.

Once the woman's boyfriend arrived, police say Smith jumped in his car and took off.

The victim and her boyfriend briefly followed Smith. Police say they called 911 and gave a description of the car and the license plate number.

Officers finally caught and arrested him at 51st and Mingo. Smith was arrested but bonded out.

Sergeant Mark Mears with the Sex Crimes Unit says many cases of indecent exposure go unreported. He says it's often considered a nuisance crime.

Now as for impersonating an officer, Sergeant Mears says to use your instincts. If you do not feel safe, it's okay to pull over in a well lit area, to call police and ask if they have a unit in the area, and to ask for identification.