Tom Fink
Staff Reporter
CLAREMORE —
A Tulsa man was released after posting a $10,000 bond following his arrest for the impersonation of a law officer
Daniel Harmon, 40, was arrested last week after sheriff’s deputies observed him in a vehicle resembling a “black and white-style” police vehicle on a Rogers County road.
According to Rogers County Deputy Johnny O’Mara, Deputy Brandon Hill was in his personal vehicle on March 25, 2010, when he observed “black and white police-style” vehicle, complete with an overhead light bar, traveling on Highway 412 in Rogers County.
“As Deputy Hill passed the unmarked vehicle, the overhead lights were activated, displaying red and blue flashing lights, which are reserved for emergency vehicles only,” O’Mara said. “(Deputy) Hill began yielding to the vehicle, but the lights then turned off and it continued along 412.”
Sensing something “wrong” about the situation, Deputy Hill then got behind the vehicle and observed it did not have government tags or markings which identified it as a law enforcement vehicle.
“Hill called the (Rogers County) Sheriff’s office and ran the vehicle which was personally owned by a Tulsa man,” O’Mara said.
“It was convincing enough‚ I was taking in by it, and I’m familiar with police vehicles,” Hill said in his report. “If a deputy sheriff can be convinced (the vehicle in question was a police car), I can only imagine what someone with no familiarity with police vehicles would be thinking if this care were behind them.”
Deputy Hill later went to the residence of the vehicle’s owner, Daniel Harmon of Tulsa. With Hill was OHP Trooper Jack Choate.
While at the home, Hill and Choate observed Harmon arrive at his residence, driving the same vehicle which Hill had previously observed him in.
When questioned, Hill said he worked for Harmon Security, but Trooper Choate impounded the vehicle.
Deputy Hill later submitted and was granted a request for Harmon’s arrest, taking him into custody on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.
Harmon had purchased the vehicle at an Oklahoma City auction, where old police vehicles are sold, according to reports.
“This type of impersonation can be very dangerous,” said Scott Walton, Rogers County Sheriff. “Citizens are vulnerable when red and blue lights appear in their (rearview) mirrors. When the person operating those cars and lights are not real (police) officers, there’s the potential for danger, and we’re going to investigate anyone who impersonates police officers.”
Harmon was arrested and booked into Rogers County Jail on complaints of False Personation of a Public Officer.
A $10,000 bond was set, which Harmon posted and was released a short time later.
Walton noted his appreciation of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, saying the case would have been harder to investigate without their assistance and cooperation.
