Police: Sex offender designed car to look like undercover officer

A Garfield man told deputies he designed his car to look like an undercover police car, according to court documents filed Monday.

Eric Christopher Finnegan, 26, a Level 3 Sex Offender, was arrested Friday after Benton County sheriff’s detectives made a traffic stop and the detectives noticed the inside of Finnegan’s white Ford Explorer was equipped with inboard lights identical to what law enforcement use for emergency lighting.

The front license plate on the vehicle is black and depicted two small “SWAT” members with a thin blue line running through the middle.

The detectives also found a Missouri police officer’s badge in Finnegan’s vehicle and a notebook containing the names and ages of children, according to the affidavit.

Finnegan, who is a Level 3 sex offender, was arrested for criminal impersonation, a Class D felony, along with misdemeanor charges for possession of emergency lights and sirens by prohibited persons, theft of property, and excessive window tint.

Finnegan told detectives that he purchased the vehicle at an auction in Oklahoma and it had been used by a security company, the affidavit states.

Finnegan said he found the badge in a ditch in Garfield, according to court documents.

Det. Andrew Woody spoke with Police Chief Ted Kuhlman in Hardin, Mo. and Woody learned that Finnergan had never worked for the department, but Kuhlman told him that years ago a police officer had taken numerous badges from the department, according to court documents.

Finnegan later told detectives that he had purchased the lights off eBay and put them in his vehicle, the affidavit states.

Finnegan claimed he only designed his car to look like an undercover police car because he thought the car was cool and so did his two children, according to court documents.

Rogers District Judge Paul Bridges set Finnegan’s bond at $50,000 on the new charges.

However, prosecutors are also seeking to revoke Finnegan’s probation.

According to court documents, Finnegan was arrested in May 2007 for sexual indecency with a child in connection with having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl. Finnegan later pleaded guilty to the charge and he was placed on probation and also required to register as a sex offender.

He was arrested again in June 2010 for failure to comply with reporting requirements. Finnegan admitted to changing his address without providing proper notice and he was placed on probation after his guilty plea.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren presided over a bond hearing Monday afternoon in connection with the revocation proceedings.

Finnegan said he is unemployed when Karren questioned him about his employment status.

Karren set the bond at $200,000. His total bond is at $250,000.

If anyone has information concerning the case, Rogers urged them to contact Sgt. Andy Lee or Woody at 271-1008 or 273-5532.

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