Missouri man impersonates ‘federal agent’ in gas drive-off

A Missouri man was arrested Thursday in a Waukee gas drive-off after falsely claiming to be a “federal agent” and attempting to elude law enforcement and injuring an officer of the Waukee Police Department.

Jeramiah Weigman, 38, of 21420 Burrus Road, Weston, Missouri, was charged with eluding, impersonating a public official, fifth-degree theft and interference with official acts-serious bodily injury.

The incident began about 10:45 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of E. Hickman Road in Waukee, where Weigman allegedly “drove away” from a gas station “after fueling his vehicle” but “without paying” the $32 bill, according to court records.

The gas station reported the alleged theft, and a patrolling Waukee Police Department Officer located Weigman in a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, traveling westbound in the 1000 block of W. Hickman Road.

The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Weigman allegedly “did not yield to lights and sirens for approximately one mile,” according to court records, finally stopping in the 2700 block of W. Hickman Road.

The officer made contact with Weigman, who “stated he was a federal agent and had been ‘working up here’ and that the gas station clerk was supposed to get him ‘credit,'” according to court records. He provided a Missouri driver’s license but “no identification for being a federal agent.”

While the officer was checking Weigman’s license and registration, Weigman allegedly “refused to comply with officer requests and said words to the effect of ‘I have places to be’ and attempted to drive away,” according to court records.

Waukee Police Department Officers “were able to stop him and pull him out of the vehicle. He resisted arrest and fought officers,” and one of the officers “suffered lacerations on both of his legs in the fight.”

Weigman is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for arraignment June 11 in Dallas County District Court.

*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.