Amboy man charged with impersonating an officer
HARMON – An Amboy man who told police he thought he was pranking a friend now faces a felony charge of impersonating an officer.
Harmon volunteer firefighter Jacob M. Nehring, 23, is free on $500 bond, also charged with illegal use of an oscillating light – which actually is a more serious charge than impersonating an officer, and disorderly conduct – a misdemeanor.
According to Lee County Sheriff John Varga, a man with an oscillating emergency light pulled over a vehicle about 1:30 a.m. Sunday on Harmon Road, identified himself as a state police officer and asked to see the driver’s license and registration.
The occupants were suspicious, and asked to see his identification. When the man went back to his vehicle and drove off, they followed and got the license plate number.
Nehring told police he thought the vehicle belonged to a friend of his.
“He indicated the whole intention was it was supposed to be a joke,” the sheriff said Monday. “Why he didn’t just stop when he knew, I don’t know.”
Illegally using an oscillating light carries 3 to 7 years in prison, while impersonating an officer carries 1 to 3 years.
Nehring had an oscillating light because he is a volunteer firefighter, Varga said.
Three people in the car with him were not arrested.
It’s up to the Lee County state’s attorney to decide whether to prosecute.
