FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A 22-year-old man was arrested Saturday night after using police-style emergency lights to stop another vehicle while driving recklessly through Flagler County, according to a news release.
Deputies responded to a report of a reckless driver on State Road 100 in west Bunnell. A victim told authorities they were followed closely by a black Dodge Ram that continued to tail them onto County Road 302. As they approached County Road 75, the Dodge activated flashing red and blue lights, prompting the victim to pull over under the assumption it was a law enforcement vehicle.
After the victim stopped, the Dodge sped past at a high rate of speed, officials said.
Deputies said the victim called 911 and attempted to follow the vehicle while speaking with dispatchers, but they lost sight of the truck “as it was driving too recklessly.”
According to the release, deputies later located the Dodge on Lemon Street and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Justin Bikowski of Bunnell, claimed he was delivering groceries to his mother when he noticed a vehicle driving slowly in front of him.
Bikowski told deputies that he saw the passenger in the victim’s vehicle recording him and he passed the vehicle as soon as they entered a passing zone.
According to the release, he also stated that he believed the other vehicle was following him and was trying to evade it but never mentioned turning on any flashing lights.
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Bikowski later said he turned on the vehicle’s orange hazard lights “but stated he did not know why he did so,” according to officials. He also told deputies the vehicle was not his but admitted he knew it was equipped with police-style lights. When asked to demonstrate, Bikowski activated a switch that triggered flashing red and blue lights on the vehicle’s grill, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies arrested Bikowski on allegations of using red or blue lights to stop another vehicle.
“If you are not a first-responder, it is dangerous and against the law to have law enforcement-style emergency lights on your vehicle,” Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said.
Bikowski was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on a $2,500 bond.