Police in Farmville are warning residents about a suspicious male who identified himself as an “officer” on Friday to two females at Food Lion, offering them a ride home.

“At approximately 2:30 p.m. … two females reported that while at the bus stop in the Food Lion parking lot, they were approached by a man who engaged them in conversation and claimed to be an ‘officer.’”  

According to police, the man was not in uniform, never claimed to be with any specific agency and did not display a badge or other identification.  

“The witnesses inferred from the conversation that the man was claiming to be a law enforcement officer. The man offered the females a ride to their residence, which they declined. The man then walked away,” stated the release.

Witnesses described the individual as a black male between 40 and 50 years old, wearing grey sweatpants, a grey sweatshirt and a black Under Armour ball cap. “He was further described as being physically fit, approximately 6-feet-tall with medium brown skin and having a short haircut,” the release stated.

If claims to be a law enforcement officer seem dubious or raise suspicion, citizens are encouraged to ask for appropriate identification, police said. “All Farmville police officers carry their badge and a department issued photo ID when engaged in law enforcement activities.”

Anyone with information about this or any similar incidents is asked to call Detective Entrekin at (434) 392-3332.