WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- A second motorist in Howell County says a man posing as a law enforcement officer stopped here on a rural road and tried to attack her.  The 18-year-old woman says she struggled and ran away from the man, who briefly chased her.

     The Howell County Sheriff’s Department says the attack was Sunday night about 10:30 on Highway CC, six miles west of West Plains.  The woman says the man’s vehicle had a blue emergency light.

  After being pulled over, the woman said the man talked to her briefly and then opened her door and pulled her from the vehicle.  She said she fought with her attacker and then ran.  She isn’t seriously hurt.

   The woman said her attacker is white, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10, and has a stocky build with short hair.  He might have been wearing a blue shirt with a badge and a police-style duty belt.  His car is a light-colored passenger car with a blue light on the dash. This attacker's description is similar to the description given by the woman last week.

   Last week, a man posing as an officer sexually assaulted a woman on a rural road near West Plains.  Harrison, Ark., police are also investigating a recent traffic stop by someone who claimed he was a police officer, although the motorist wasn’t assaulted.

   “I again want to emphasize to the public not to stop for anyone they are not positive is a legitimate law enforcement officer,” said Howell County Sheriff Robbie Crites in a new release on Monday afternoon.  “I know young people are sometimes afraid they are going to get in trouble for not stopping.  All of the officers and dispatchers in our area have been instructed to be patient with motorists and we will work with the public.”

  The sheriff emphasized these points:

-- Most law enforcement vehicles in Howell County are full marked and have red and blue lights on the roof, however, some are unmarked with interior lights and some are pickups or sport utility vehicles;
-- If a patrol vehicle pulls behind you and displays emergency lights, slow down and signal or use hazard lights to indicate you are aware of the officer’s presence;
-- If you are not sure the traffic stop is legitimate, slowly continue until you reach a safer area, such as a well lit parking lot, or the driveway of a home;
-- If you have access to a cellular telephone, call 911 and ask the operator to verify the stop; the call taker will contact the law enforcement agencies in the area to confirm the stop; stay on the phone with the call taker and follow directions; and
-- If you do not have a cell phone, do not get out of the vehicle; roll down your window slightly and the officer should be able to show you proper identification, such as an ID card, official forms from the agency, or something else.