Ex-Henrico officer accused in Oregon bank robbery
Henrico County
Former Henrico County police officer Charles Harpster and his wife Tammi Truschke, were arrested in connection with the bank robbery Tuesday night in Oregon.
A former Henrico County police officer who pleaded guilty in 2006 to stealing marijuana from the evidence room has been arrested and charged with holding up a bank in Bend, Ore., a television station there is reporting on its Web site.
Charles Harpster, 54, who was on the Henrico force for 30 years, was arrested with his wife, Tammi Truschke, Tuesday night after the robbery of the Bend Bank of Cascades, KTVZ reported.
Police arrested the couple at a tavern in nearby La Pine, where they had allegedly used the stolen money to win $700 at video poker while ordering beer and cheesesteaks, the station reported. Bail for the two was set at $500,000, KTVZ reported.
In Henrico in 2006, Harpster and his wife pleaded guilty to distributing less than an ounce of marijuana. Both received 12-month suspended sentences and were fined $100. They were originally charged with felony drug distribution, but the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.
Harpster also agreed to surrender his law enforcement credential and not to serve as a police officer for at least 10 years, the prosecutor said. Harpster and his wife had spent about two weeks in jail before being released on bond.
Henrico Police Chief Henry W. Stanley Jr. said in 2006 that the drugs were stolen from the Henrico evidence room at about the same time that Harpster, a narcotics investigator, was making final his retirement plans.
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Reader Reactions
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could “just get rid of the bad” in every profession?? People are so critical of policemen and women it’s disgusting. Sure, they should be held to a higher standard because of what they do but that doesn’t give people the right to act as if they know the job and situations if they themselves have never been there. These people go out every day doing a job that many other people would never even think of doing because of the lack of appreciation and respect (not to mention the monetary lackings). My father worked with the HPD for almost 30 years and spoke many times of the inept and bad officers. However, he also spoke of the many fine and reputable ones that put their own lives on hold to help the ridiculously skeptical and unappreciative public. Unfortunately, some of the upper ranked officers turn a blind eye. It is a thankless job that many people don’t truly appreciate. Yes, there is stress in the job and yes it can adversely affect one’s mental status, but that is no excuse for this ex-officer’s actions. People handle their jobs in different ways because they are different people. No, that doesn’t make it ok to be cocky about what you do. I have met many officers that are NOT cocky, so I don’t think it is a fair representation to say that all officers are cocky.
Perhaps some of you that have such problems with the way the police department is run should be proactive and try and complain to the police department about it; instead of simply insulting other people’s opinions on this board.
Martin, You rationalized with what the media threw out about Mike so I rationalized with what you threw out. Get it? You dont know what went on in ‘06 with his case so dont just give your opinion. I am only guessing who you are but I have a good idea with the little bit you just said. Your husband was different than Mike and since you only know his name and not his old self you should stay clear and not smear the whole dept. because you made a bad choice in a marriage. I hope you are doing well. Take care!
Up It: Apparently you don’t get out much and I am embarrassed for you w/ the comment you posted. No one has to have a long history of offenses to know what a Henrico County Officer thinks. I believe a better question would be do you know anything or do you know how to think? As Dhmartin stated she was married to one. You could be the mother, father, son, daughter, simply the relative to one. How about a co worker? Or a neighbor? I live across the street from one of the finest officers on the force and next door to one who has very serious mental health power-control issues. As with every profession it takes a certain type of mentality in order to fulfill the requirements for the job. In all honesty, if there is someone trying to break into my house to rape and kill me and my children, give me the cop next door. I want a Rambo. If I have been involved in a car accident and am waiting for the wrecker to come I’ll take an officer like the one who lives across the street from me. The unfortunate thing in their profession is they are unable to wear but so many hats at all times. It is a jungle out there.
To Up It:
I was once married to a Henrico officer during the time Mike was on duty. So don’t accuse me of getting in trouble and having a criminal history. I have NONE! I have experience with Henrico officers and they are very cocky! Well, at least my ex, thought he was above the law, and no one could touch him. He still does think that way. His academy class was the same. So what u got to say about that????
glen allen and martin, do you always start talking before you think? Do either of you know anything that went on in his case from 2006? Obviously not! Martin you said “most Henrico Officers think”. I would rationalize from that statement that you have a long history of criminal or traffic offense behavior since you know what most Henrico Officers think. Many brushes with the law..huh?
To: Welshwoman maybe if we just got rid of the bad cops it would be easier to support the good ones. The long blue line protects its own so of course you have bad cops who remain on the force. As for the stress of the job that is purely crap we all have stressful jobs but that is not carte blanche to commit a crime. jail is where he is going and in protective custody I might add, the cons frown upon law enforcement who goes rogue oh well…...
Reading a previous post,would have you assume stress of being an officer placed him in this position ,but then with wife by his side i would have to shoot that theory down .Or was she under stress because he was stressful ?hum
In 2006, that sentence was because at that time he thought he was above the law as most Henrico officers think. Now he doesn’t have his connections so should be punished just like anyone else would be
Most police officers spend a huge amount of their time dealing with mentally ill, alcoholic, drug addicted, selfish, stupid individuals from the public. I wonder if the affect of all that stress and negativity every day and watching people get off when they got to court contributed to where he is now. I think police officers must get very frustrated and angry and I don’t blame them. Then the public armchair quarterbacks everything they do. Are they all good? No. Are they all bad? No. I hope his career was more successful in his earlier days and I hope he finds his way out of the darkness to a better place. It is a difficult line of work and support is not in abundance. Maybe we should just get rid of cops and let chaos ensue since that seems to be what’s happening anyway! Wake up and grow up America.
“. . . In Henrico in 2006, Harpster and his wife pleaded guilty to distributing less than an ounce of marijuana. Both received 12-month suspended sentences and were fined $100. They were originally charged with felony drug distribution, but the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.. . )
Was this guys mommy or daddy a Henrico Government Employee as well? How did he get off with a suspended sentence and only a $100 fine. I wonder what I would get if I stole drugs from the Police Department. Maybe that’s what a “Drug Free Zone” is.
Is this guy still eligible for his retirement benefits from the County? He had to give up law enforcement, maybe he can come back as a School Teacher or a Crossing Guard.
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