TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Man Faces New Counts Of Kidnapping, Sexual Battery

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: February 4, 2009

James Blue

A Largo man now faces a second charge of pretending to be a police officer and luring a woman into his car to perform sex acts.

James Blue, 40, of 11574 104th St. N., Largo, was arrested last week on charges of sexual battery, kidnapping, and impersonating an officer stemming from an attack that happened Jan. 24.

On that date, Blue approached an 18-year-old woman in the area of Fairmont Street and Osceola Avenue, and identified himself as an undercover police officer, said Elizabeth Watts, Clearwater's public safety spokeswoman.

He then coerced the woman into his car, drove to the area of Pinellas Street and S. Fort Harrison and threatened to arrest her and take her to jail if she didn't perform sex acts, Watts said.

On Tuesday, Clearwater police linked Blue to a similar case that happened on Feb. 15, 2008.

In that case, Blue picked up the victim in the area of South Fort Harrison Avenue and Lakeview Road, showed her a fake police badge and forced her into his car where he raped her, police said.

Blue was taken into custody on Jan. 28th at his place of employment at 14550 62nd Street N. His 1995 Pontiac Firebird was seized as well as a fake police badge, Watts said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT