Man Arrested for Impersonating an Officer with Father's Vehicle

News9.com

ARDMORE, Oklahoma -- A 23-year-old was arrested for impersonating a police officer while using his father's medical examiner vehicle.

James Howard Johnson, 23, has charges pending against him for falsely impersonating a peace officer, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm while in commission of a felony.

The arrest was made after separate overnight incidents were reported where Johnson allegedly represented himself as a police officer.

Witnesses said Johnson was driving a Ford Crown Victoria belonging to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office, with clearly marked official State of Oklahoma decals.

One witness said he was pulled over because it was late at night and Johnson, calling himself "Officer Collins" said he was concerned about possible drug activity.

A second victim said she was pulled over as she pulled into her driveway because she had been speeding and Johnson said she needed to slow down. The victim's younger brother was riding in the car at the time and later identified the would-be officer as James Howard Johnson. The victim told officers she thought it was strange that a Medical Examiner's unit would be equipped with radar devices.

Nobody was harmed during either encounter.

The investigation led officers to the Ardmore residence of State of Oklahoma Deputy Medical Examiner Leroy Johnson. Johnson's marked work vehicle was parked in the driveway, and unoccupied.

When they knocked on the door of the residence, they were greeted by the suspect, James Howard Johnson, who later told police he had driven his father's state-issued Crown Victoria. It was determined that Leroy Johnson was out of town at the time, and had no knowledge of James Johnson's unauthorized use of the Crown Victoria.

Johnson was arrested and transported to the Carter County Jail at approximately 5:45am, Friday April 24.