A WOMAN was stopped by police officers – after being caught driving a fake police car.
She painted a replica of Florida’s marked patrol units because she “loved” their black and tan colors.
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Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested Iulia Pugachev in Miami-Dade County last October, reported USA today.
But she said she drove a car that resembled a patrol car because she “fell in love with the color scheme,” according to cops.
She also claimed that she was just testing him.
The woman was caught driving a Dodge Charger with a blue and white light bar and even an emergency siren, records added.
Officer Alexander Monte De Oca Viera reported that Pugachev was driving northbound when she was stopped, he said Location 10.
“It is a 1st degree misdemeanor for a vehicle to be painted in the same color scheme prescribed for FHP vehicles,” he wrote in his report.
Pugachev told the officer that a mechanic in Hollywood modified the vehicle by adding the light bar system, he added.
“Ms. Pugachev stated that she asked the wrap company at the shop to wrap the vehicle in black and tan because she had already seen the marked FHP patrol units and fell in love with the color scheme,” said Monte De Oca Viera.
Why was the painting illegal?
No vehicle in Florida can have the same color scheme as Florida Highway Patrol cars.
According to Florida Statutes, no one can drive a similar police vehicle as imitations are prohibited and they risk being punished with a fine.
“Unless specifically authorized by the Florida Highway Patrol, a person in the state shall not color or cause to be colored any motor vehicle or motorcycle the same or similar color…as the Florida Highway Patrol.
“A person who violates this section or S. 321.02 in relation to uniforms, emblems, motor vehicles and motorcycles commits a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable in accordance with the provisions of S. 775.082 or S. 775.083”, warn the statutes.
As far as fines go, violators can be punished with a $500 fine when the conviction is for a second-degree misdemeanor or non-criminal violation.
She told the officer she purchased her car through Copart, an online vehicle auction.
It was used by FSO Guard, his security company, according to records.
Pugachev initially told officers he was testing the vehicle.
But they told her it was illegal for non-police vehicles in Florida to be painted in the same color scheme as FHP cars.
Even former police officers’ cars are repainted in a different color before being auctioned, they also reported.
NOT REGISTERED
During the investigation, FHP officers realized that her license plate had not been registered in Florida – or indeed any other state.
However, it was the same one that had been placed by the dealership – when she bought the car in July.
The police then read him his Miranda rights.
Miranda, or Fifth Amendment, rights are a constitutional right to remain silent when taken into custody for questioning.
She explained to the officers that she only bought the car for her security company.
But it needed repairs, the official report added.
SIRENS AND LIGHTS
So while it was being repaired, she asked the mechanic to install an emergency siren, along with a blue and white light bar on the ceiling.
After the work was completed, Pugachev took her Dodge Charger to a car wrapping company next door to have it black and tan as she “fell in love with the color scheme.”
Pugachev was issued a notice to appear for criminal violations of operating a motor vehicle without a trailer.
She was also cited for driving an imitation FHP unit and improper use of a dealer license plate, the notice added.
In addition to being hit with a misdemeanor, her car was impounded.
“Remember that it is a 1st degree misdemeanor for a vehicle to be painted in the same color scheme prescribed for FHP vehicles,” said the department on X, formerly Twitter.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
