Man proposes to girlfriend while being arrested
Justin Harrel of Elk City, Oklahoma showed his romantic side at a very unlikely moment. As reported by KWTV News 9, the 32-year-old man was with his girlfriend Elaina Rios at the city’s “Christmas In The Park” event and was planning to propose to his one true love. Elaina told the station, "We're best friends...He's my rock. I'm his rock. And he’s a really good guy. He’s not a bad guy. Everybody thinks he's a bad guy but he's not."
Considering what played out during the proposal, many may disagree. Lieutenant detective Steve Bonds saw Harrel standing at the park’s carousel and knew he was wanted in Washita and Greer Counties. At first the man with two outstanding warrants resisted arrest, but eventually the officer placed Harrel in handcuffs.
Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland explained what played out after that.
“He [Harrel] said, ‘Can you give me five minutes? Can you give me five minutes?’
He [Det. Bonds] said, ‘What’s the deal?’
He [Harrel] said, ‘I’m just fixing to propose to my girlfriend.’
He [Det. Bonds] said, ‘You’re kidding.’
He [Harrel] said, ‘No I’m just now, right now…Can I go ahead and do that?’
And he said [Det. Bonds], ‘Yeah, go ahead and do that.’
[Harrel] ‘Can you uncuff me?’
[Det. Bonds] ‘No’”
Rios answered, “Yes,” to her boyfriend’s proposal and the detective became part of the odd moment, helping the handcuffed man by fishing out the engagement ring from Harrel’s pocket. It’s a memory that the two will always have, because it’s apparently documented in the police report of Harrel’s arrest.
Justin Harrel now sits in the Washita County jail for outstanding warrants for obtaining cash and/or merchandise by bogus check. Harrel was not cited for resisting arrest. Chief Holland felt that this was an example of, "Policing at its best with a heart…And it's Christmas time. People have lives, and we help them our best to live those lives."
More info: KWTV
