Seattle Crime Report

A 24-year-old man has been accused of impersonating a police officer after he was stopped by a uniformed patrol officer in the downtown area. According to the police report, Dylan Paul Hiatt was driving a black Ford Explorer with red and blue lights on the roof and rear hatch window, which led the officer to believe it was an unmarked police vehicle.

The incident occurred on April 20, 2025, at around 1:15 am, when the officer saw Hiatt's vehicle stopping traffic to allow a fire truck to pass. The officer became suspicious when he noticed that the vehicle did not have any security markings or other indicators that it was an official emergency vehicle. When the officer stopped Hiatt, he found that the suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest with a badge and handcuffs, and had a pistol on his person.

Hiatt claimed that he was working as a security guard and was blocking traffic to assist the fire department. However, the officer did not find any evidence to support this claim, and instead believed that Hiatt was impersonating a police officer. The case has been referred to the city's law department for prosecution under the charge of criminal impersonation.

The police report notes that three witnesses who saw the interaction between the officer and Hiatt expressed concern about the situation, with one witness stating that it was 'terrifying' to see someone impersonating a police officer. The incident highlights the importance of verifying the identity of emergency responders, especially in situations where they may be exercising authority or control over others.

The suspect's vehicle, a 2021 Ford Explorer, was involved in the incident and has been listed as evidence in the case. Hiatt's driver's license and other personal information were also obtained by the officer during the stop. The police department is continuing to investigate the incident and may pursue additional charges if warranted.