Stryker v. State

Patrick Stryker appeals from his conviction in a bench trial of the misdemeanor offense of obstruction of an officer. We affirm. On October 6, 2007, Sergeant Richard Harned of the Henry County Police Department was in uniform while working an approved off-duty job at a package store. In that position, Harned provided parking lot and general security for the store. At some point, Harned detained Stryker’s girlfriend, Jamie Lynn Hart, for shoplifting. Stryker arrived about 15 minutes later and asked the officer what was going on. Harned told him that he was going to arrest Hart for shoplifting, and Stryker asked about Hart’s car, which was in the parking lot. Harned replied that he did not need to tow the car at that point, but he had some paperwork to complete, which would require checking the car’s registration. He said that after he finished, he would release the car to Stryker. At that point, Stryker leaned in close to Hart, and they had a whispered conversation. Stryker then left to go outside, and Harned told him and another man who was with him not to do anything with Hart’s car.

After an on-duty officer arrived on the scene, Harned went outside where he discovered that Hart’s car and the other man were gone. Stryker remained and was standing just outside the doors of the store. Harned asked him where the car was, and he said his friend had taken it. Harned reminded Stryker that he had told them not to move the car and asked why the friend had driven it away. Stryker replied that there were two women passengers and a dog in the car, who were “freaking out.” Stryker said he told the other man to take them home.