Salt Lake police looking for cop impersonator

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Salt Lake City police are looking for a man who pretended to be a cop and then assaulted a young girl.

The suspect flashed something akin to a badge and lured the 12-year-old into his car near 1700 South and Main Street.

"He told her to get into the car. So she got inside the car, [and] he drove her to a parking lot nearby where he assaulted her," said Salt Lake police Detective Rick Wall.

Wall says it's unclear how long the girl was in the car with the man, but luckily she got away.

The suspect is now on the run, and police are warning people to be careful. "It's up to us as citizens and members of the community to make sure that we find out if they are, in fact, a law enforcement officer," Wall said.

This fake cop is described as a man in his late 20s, having a pot belly and dark, spiky hair with blond tips. He was driving a tan car, which is believed to have tan interior as well.

If you have any information on who this suspect is, contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at 799-3000.

E-mail: aadams@ksl.com