By Boca Vibe
Man Claims To Be Firefighter To Avoid Arrest, Fails
A West Palm Beach man was arrested early Sunday morning after he allegedly interfered with a DUI investigation and falsely claimed to be a firefighter when deputies tried to detain him. Angel Benitez was taken into custody just after midnight on April 12. Read more at BocaVibe.com.
According to Authorities
- Benitez, 27, of West Palm Beach, was pulled over by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies for suspected impairment while driving on I-95 near the Boca Raton border.
- When deputies approached his vehicle, Benitez allegedly claimed he was a firefighter with the Boca Raton Fire Department and asked to be released from the stop.
Benitez’s claim was met with skepticism by the deputies, who became suspicious of his story. They then called for backup and conducted a field sobriety test on him, which he failed.
Charges Filed Against Benitez
- Benitez was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, obstructing an officer, and providing false information to law enforcement.
- He is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on $2,500 bond.
The Boca Raton Fire Department has confirmed that Benitez is not a firefighter and has released a statement saying they are cooperating with the investigation.
Community Reacts to Incident
- Residents of Boca Raton expressed shock and disappointment at Benitez’s actions, saying it was unacceptable to try to avoid arrest by claiming to be a firefighter.
- “It’s not cool to try to fake your way out of trouble like that,” said one resident. “You have to respect the law and follow the rules.”
The incident serves as a reminder to always be honest with law enforcement and to respect their authority. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about Benitez’s activities to come forward.
Official city info: City of Boca Raton.
Source: Original Report