From staff reports

Marengo County Sheriff Richard Bates indicated Thursday that his staff is investigating claims that a woman was raped in his jurisdiction last week. Rumors have been rampant throughout the week that a man alleged to have been impersonating a law enforcement officer raped a woman after stopping her car.

According to Bates, the incident allegedly happened last Wednesday, but word of it did not reach his office until Monday of this week. As of Thursday morning, no victim had come forward to file a report and Bates’ staff was in the process of determining whether or not the circulating account was true.

Bates did indicate similar incidents have previously been reported in other counties. Citing those reports, Bates said he and his staff have communicated with other law enforcement agencies in neighboring counties in an effort to raise awareness of the alleged crime.