Reservist accused of impersonating a police officer

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EUGENE, Ore. - Officers thought they heard a gun being loaded behind a locked apartment door, sparking an armed standoff with what proved to be an empty apartment.

Instead, police found the man they were looking for - 39-year-old Daniel Scott Alloway - on a Lane Transit District bus.

Alloway faces a felony charge of criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer. Other charges are pending.

Police said Alloway had worn authentic looking attire closely resembling that worn by EPD and at times Homeland Security Federal Protective Services. He had affixed a badge and patches to a fleece jacket similar to those worn by EPD officers; he had authentic looking badges; and had a utility belt similar to that issued to officers including a Taser, handgun, pepper spray, radio and handcuffs, police said.

Alloway drove a blue Ford Expedition in which a blue and red emergency light bar was mounted inside the windshield, police said.

Alloway works as a security guard and that may have been the channel by which he acquired his items, police said.

At 2:06 p.m. Thursday, Eugene Police Special Investigation and Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Services officers knocked on the door of Alloway's apartment in the 1000 block of West 4th. They had already seen his vehicle in the driveway, and two detectives heard what sounded like a firearm being loaded.

Alloway has a valid concealed handgun license, access to firearms and is a member of the National Guard Reserves. Police said they followed protocol to increase safety by securing the area and calling in the SWAT team.

Police later found Alloway had been out of cellphone range, riding an LTD bus.

Ultimately, Police located Alloway, who had been out of cellphone range, riding an LTD bus. He was taken into custody without incident.

Police said there have been reports of Alloway activating his emergency lights, as well as representing himself in an authentic-appearing uniform to members of the public.

Police also have reports that he represented himself to Hosea Youth Project during presentations that may have been as frequent at twice per week over the course of a year. He portrayed himself as Officer Dan Baker and talked about what it is like to be a police officer.

Alloway first drew police attention during an investigation of an unrelated case, where a complaining party off-handedly asked about "Officer Dan Baker."

Investigators are seeking anyone who may have had contact with Alloway in relation to his activities in police-type attire. Anyone with relevant information is asked to call (541) 682-8888.