Bladen County jailer accused of impersonating an officer says he was trying to stop a road rage incident

Stephon Singleton, 51, from Fayetteville, said he was driving along Skibo Road at around 2 p.m. when he saw a woman driving recklessly and shouting. He claims he was trying to intervene.

"With me being an actual law enforcement officer with Bladen County, as a detention officer, I can't let this go on," he told WRAL News.

Initially, Singleton said he thought, "If I do anything, it's going to cost me my job."

But the road rage incident escalated, which made Singleton upset, he said.

Singleton said he flashed blue lights on the top of his silver Hyundai Sonata at the female driver. Pictures from the scene also show he had a bullhorn in his car.

Singleton told WRAL News he purchased the equipment from Amazon and eBay.

"I don't know if I'm supposed to have them in my car," Singleton admitted.

His car also had the word "sheriff" written on the rear windshield.

Bladen County Sheriff James McVicker said that correctional officers are not issued county vehicles, so this car would likely have been Singleton's personal vehicle.

Singleton told WRAL News he attempted to pull the woman over because she was driving aggressively.

He had his lights on behind the woman at a stop light, and he said he was shouting expletives at her.

Authorities said the woman called 911 to report that Singleton was pretending to be a police officer and tried to stop her. Police said the woman recognized by his clothing that he was not a real officer.

Pictures obtained by WRAL News showed that officers found in Singleton's car a face mask with the words "officer" on it and a baseball cap with the word "sheriff" written on the front.

Police said the woman followed Singleton until police were able to locate his car and arrest him.

As she followed him, Singleton said he showed the woman his detention officer I.D. badge and his gun in an attempt to get her to stop.

When he realized the woman was following him as directed by 911, he told WRAL News, he tried to lose her on the road.

"She called the police saying I was a fake officer. I'm not a fake officer. I work for Bladen County Detention Center," he told WRAL News. "I'm an officer in the eyes of the law."

"I'm not an officer to stop you or give you any sort of tickets or anything of that nature," he continued.

Singleton claims this is the first time he has ever tried to pull someone over.

"This is the first time I've had to use my lights," he said.

Fayetteville police officers found Singleton's car at Hay Street and Robeson Street and arrested him.

He was charged with blue lights causing to stop or yield and impersonating an officer.

"I was shocked, I really was," McVicker said. "We have not had any issues at all with this person."

Singleton was booked under a $10,000 secured bond at the Cumberland County Detention Center on Tuesday. He posted bond and was released from jail by Wednesday afternoon.

McVicker said he's launching an internal investigation into Singleton's conduct. Singleton claims he's already been fired.

The Fayetteville Police Department asks that anyone who believes they were stopped by the man is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477, email Fay-NCCrimestoppers.org or visit P3Tips.com