Attempted Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Man Posing as Police Officer

NASHVILLE, TN - A 31-year-old convicted felon from Williamson County is currently free on a $12,500 bond after he was arrested early this morning on multiple charges related to his alleged impersonation of an officer multiple times in recent weeks.

Leart Bytyqi was reportedly the driver of a Nissan Pathfinder who, on February 20, attempted to pull over a driver on White Bridge Pike by flashing a badge out of the driver's side window. The Pathfinder was equipped with light bars in the front and rear windows, which led the driver and his passenger to mistakenly believe it could be an undercover police vehicle; however, they did not stop.

Bytyqi, who is known to local law enforcement from similar incidents, was charged last year for allegedly carrying a weapon on school property after he arrived at John Overton High School wearing a vest emblazoned with the words "Officer Protective Services" and a duty belt loaded with a taser, pepper spray, and handcuffs. After an arrest, he was required to surrender these items to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department property room. This charge is expected to be revisited in General Sessions Court this coming August 2025.

On the day prior to his most recent arrest, Bytyqi was pulled over by patrol officers for a traffic infraction while donning a ballistic vest and duty belt, and carrying a realistic BB gun. He allegedly told the officers that he was a security guard.

Bytyqi was taken into custody at his South Nashville home early this morning and charged with impersonation of a licensed professional, criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer, and two counts of attempted false imprisonment.

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