Fake NY DEC Officer Steals Rifle! What Did These Hunters Do?

Does your heart sink a little when pulled over by a police officer? Anytime you pass by a parked patrol car you slow down even if you are within the speed limit. We have immediate reactions when we encounter authority. What if the "officer" you saw was an imposter? Would you know or would you be too nervous to not realize?

Earlier this month an individual posed as an undercover officer here in New York and was able to leave the scene with a gun and the victim's personal information. What would you have done?

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According to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, a group of individuals were squirrel hunting on Howland Island, just West of Syracuse, when they were approached by a man claiming to be an undercover NYS Environmental Conservation Officer. The alleged ECO asked to see licenses and firearms and the group complied. The "undercover officer" took down the group's information and confiscated a .22 rifle.

According to DEC reports one of the hunters felt something wasn't quite right and was able to capture a quick video of the "undercover agent". Now what? The hunters are without a rifle and they have given up some personal information. You won't believe what happens next.

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Later that same day, the "undercover officer" emailed the hunters to inform them that the rifle he confiscated was unlawful. Immediately the hunters reached out to actual New York State DEC officials and turned over the video they captured along with the email address used by the imposter.

Officers were able to accurately identify the 24-year-old subject as Zachary Harvey of Weedsport. Harvey was located and arrested and charged with two counts of criminal impersonation, two counts of grand larceny, and one count of criminal possession of stolen property. Harvey is currently in jail.

15 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- August 2022

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 08/01/2022:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

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