Bumgarner

A 66-year-old Washington woman is out on bail after her arrest for impersonating a police officer at the Crescent City Starbucks on Thursday.

Louise Bumgarner, dressed in battle-dress uniform pants and a t-shirt with "sheriff" on the front and back in large yellow block lettering, drove through the parking lot at about 9 a.m. with red and blue flashing lights fixed to her dashboard, Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin told the Wild Rivers Outpost.

Patrons stopped and gave Bumgarner the right-of-way thinking she was in an emergency vehicle, Griffin said. Bumgarner then walked into Starbucks and told staff she was law enforcement, according to the police chief.

“That’s when we contacted her because people started calling us,” Griffin told the Outpost. “It’s unknown exactly what she was trying to do. We did locate other badges. She did have a security badge and it’s not confirmed yet, but she stated she was working as a security guard in Washington.”

A search of Bumgarner’s car revealed loaded weapons magazines, though officers couldn’t find a firearm. They also found a utility belt and identification indicating Bumgarner may have been a former deputy from Wagoner, Oklahoma.

Griffin said he contacted the sheriff and was told Bumgarner isn’t a current employee.

“She was housed for two felonies, which included possession of a police baton and metal knuckles,” Griffin said, “and also two misdemeanors, which included impersonating a peace officer.”

Police booked Bumgarner into the Del Norte County Jail where she was housed on $50,000 bail. According to Griffin, she was able to post bail.

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