Woman reports two men claimed to be police

SPRING HILL -- A 75-year-old woman told Hernando County sheriff's deputies that two men claiming to be police officers knocked on her door early Saturday morning, a sheriff's report stated.

Marie Gazda said two men came to her door shortly after midnight. They told her they were police officers and warned her that someone had been stealing televisions, the report said.

She told deputies that the men were "rather rude," never said what agency they worked for and never displayed badges. When she went to shut off her alarm system, both men left, the report said.

"We have distinctive uniforms and badges. Our investigators are required to clearly identify themselves," sheriff's spokesman Lt. Joseph Paez said. "The concern that we have is somebody passing themselves off as law enforcement officers."

Paez said the Sheriff's Office hasn't received any similar reports. But he asked that anyone with information call the tip line at 797-TIPS.

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