BENTONVILLE -— Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a registered sex offender they suspect was impersonating a law enforcement officer, according to Capt. Brandon Rogers.
Eric Finnegan, 26, of Garfield was arrested Friday in connection with criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer, a Class D felony, and theft of property, a Class A misdemeanor.
Finnegan is a Level 3 sex offender, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center’s website.
Rogers, who heads the special operations division for the Sheriff’s Office, said Finnegan’s arrest was initiated by two detectives working in the gang unit when they stopped a white Ford Explorer in the 1200 block of South Eighth Street in Rogers.
The detectives, Andrew Woody and Addie Coggin, noticed the vehicle was equipped with inboard lights identical to what law enforcement use for emergency lighting, according to Rogers.
Rogers said detectives determined the lights were operational and could be changed to various flash patterns and positioned on all four sides of the vehicle.
Finnegan was the driver of the vehicle, Rogers said.
According to Rogers, the detectives noticed a front license plate on the vehicle represents “SWAT” and has the “Thin Blue Line” emblem depicted in the background. Rogers said the plate signifies law enforcement.
Rogers said all of the windows are covered with dark tint.
The detectives searched the vehicle and in the center console the detectives found a police badge issued from Missouri, Rogers said.
Finnegan was arrested on the felony impersonating charge and the theft charge which is related to the police badge, according to Rogers.
The detectives learned Finnegan was a registered sex offender still on probation from the Arkansas Department of Community Correction.
Finnegan’s probation officer searched his home with deputies. According to Rogers, two computers, Finnegan’s cellphone, and a BB gun were seized. Rogers said the cellphone and computers will be turned over to the department’s cyber crimes unit for analysis.
Finnegan’s vehicle was also seized and taken to the Sheriff Office, Rogers said.
If anyone has information concerning the case, Rogers urged them to contact Sgt. Andy Lee or Woody at 271-1008 or 273-5532.
Finnegan was being held Saturday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.