Deputies: Man used fake police lights to beat traffic
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Marion County sheriff's deputies said a Washington man wove through interstate traffic at 80 mph with phony police lights flashing.
In his passenger seat was his 12-year-old son.
Deputies didn't recognize the 2009 Nissan Maxima as one of their own unmarked vehicles. And when the driver passed a marked police car, the lights went off.
James Winfrey a 27-year-old from Vancouver, Wash., told police he was only using the lights to help him catch up to friends.
Deputies say they found no evidence that Winfrey was attempting to pull over cars and falsely represent himself as a police officer.
Winfrey was cited for disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment and traffic violations.
If nothing else, I understand the man's frustration. Perhaps if Oregon drivers would grow a brain and move out of the left lane except for passing, no one would feel the need to try these antics.
On that note, "smart" traffic signals would ease a lot of sitting idle, while waiting for no one else. Cut frustration, save fuel AND unneeded emissions.
@Conspirator You are really justifying this mans behavior with that?
Sooner or later someone is going to get their hands on a Opticom Emitter Traffic Light Changer.Â
Selfish idiot who don't even work, and now costing me my tax money to arrest and feed him?  Put this unrepentant idiot into hard labor.  How many honest people did he interrupt? Â
infra red and blue ..that might be better..oh wait. .now theybare going back to rf controlled lights... once when I was young. I used to flash my high' and low beams at a few of the lights on my way to the hospital. it worked well. at that time I did know I was breaking the law..
Ha ha ha, flashing lights and a flipper license plate holder and you have the perfect combo to beat rush hour traffic.
Probably in rush to go buy some pot in the Wash.
All in all he is not very bright. Having a child with him and acting stupid. Perhaps take his vehicle away for awhile...
he really must be in love with his lil Datsun...according to his FB page,whats up with the stupid stickers on the hood looks like crap,and I LMAOed at the tire burn off pic (front wheel drive) FAIL...lol
Had a jack wagon strobe the lights at a busy intersection last week causing a large backup...
A 27 year old with his 12 year old son sitting next to him, do the math. Â Still making bad choices, but your not 14-15 anymore.
Dang! I gotta get me some of those wonderful lights! ;-)
Why the need to use fake cop lights? On I-5, I-80, US-97, et al, drivers of the vehicles displaying WA licenses are usually significantly exceeding the posted speed limit. Since WA has more traffic patrol officers , once WA drivers hit the OR border, they 'feel the need for speed' as the chances of encountering OR LE is pretty slim.  A hearty thanks to the OR legislature for continually reducing funding for state first responders.
BTW - were his 'friends' the Walker Brothers Johnny and Red?
@evergreenspeed That's Blackie and Red.
I think his frontal lobe has been on vacation for a few years.
What a dangerous and selfish act of stupidity. He put others at risk and taught his son bad principles. I'm glad he was caught in the act.
Another goateed idiot !
@Rob C 503  Wassamatta, Rob? Are you one of those guys who can grow plenty of chest, back and butt hair, but can't for the life of you grow facial hair? :Hee hee!! -P
@Rob C 503 Goatee...the new mullet.
@Mr. Carbon Footprint @Rob C 503 Ha! That's perfect! Thanks for the laff.
Not so bright, are you? I can usually talk my way out of a speeding ticket (God blessed me with the gift of gab; ) Good luck, sonny
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@Liberty4_WAÂ His status update on Feb 9th about his speedy driving/complaining about always getting pulled over by cops...this guy isn't very bright at all.
a 27 yo ....12 yo son ?? Oh vantucky
Cause that would never happen on this side of the Columbia. <shakes head>
@OSUx2 Portland just has people getting shot or killed every other night. That's all.
You just can't fix stupid, but every once in a while you get a good laugh from them. Except the 12 yo son, not cool.
Where's he from, Russia? Â I saw a lot of that over there.
What a fine example for his 12 year old son. Idiot.
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@Dr. Rawdog You should always have a dog with you, too. Tell them its a service dog for your panic attacks.
@Dr. Rawdog Stupidity is NOT a medical emergency no matter what your friends have told you, Rawdog.
Give this guy a medal!....Just think of how many drivers he totally pissed off..........awsome!, and with his 12 year old son,...."to help him catch up with friends"......I see a trend developing
"It sounded like a good idea until the police pulled me over".Â
What an idiot.
He has the "I can't believe I got busted for using my fakey cop lights" look.
@randola It looks like it's a DMV picture.
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@Welfair Chick all of a sudden i have this urge to squint...