NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - An 18-year-old man who caused the closure of an Interstate 95 off-ramp in Northwest Miami-Dade and launched an investigation as to whether he was impersonating a police officer denied he was doing so.
The incident caused confusion among law enforcers and a traffic headache for drivers after the southbound off-ramp to Northwest 103rd Street was shut down for several hours, Friday night.
Miami-Dade Police and Florida Highway Patrol arrived at the scene with K-9 units at around 7:30 p.m. Investigators said they were called to the area after being told there was man a walking around his car while holding a gun.
A witness said the 18-year-old, dressed in Army fatigue-type clothing, went to the trunk of the car and then to the passenger side.
The subject did not threaten anyone, according to the witness.
Responding officers found the teen in a Crown Victoria with flashing strobe lights on the ramp. They also found police-style tactical gear in the vehicle.
Police detained the teen for questioning. He was released from custody about three hours later.
Before driving away in his car, the teen told 7News he was not trying to impersonate a police officer. He added that he does work security at club events and traffic details, which is why he has lights on his car.
“They pulled up and started giving me commands saying ‘get on the ground’ this and that,” said the teen. “I listened to everything, end up detaining me.”
Moreover, the teen said, he did not have a weapon on him when he was detained.
The off ramp was reopened to traffic just before 11 p.m.
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