Man Claims To Be Firefighter To Avoid Arrest, Fails

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 was pulled over by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies for suspected impaired driving.
• When deputies approached his vehicle, Benitez allegedly claimed he was a firefighter and refused to cooperate with the investigation.
• The deputies attempted to detain him, but Benitez became belligerent and resisted arrest.

Benitez’s actions led to his arrest and charges of resisting arrest, obstructing an officer, and providing false information to law enforcement.

Fake Firefighter Scam

• Benitez had previously been arrested for impersonating a firefighter in 2019.
• He was sentenced to probation and community service at the time.
• Deputies believe Benitez may have used his previous experience as a fake firefighter to try and avoid arrest again.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to be aware of individuals who may attempt to use false identities or credentials to avoid law enforcement.

Community Reaction

• Neighbors reported seeing Benitez in a firefighter uniform at a local charity event just days before his arrest.
• Some community members expressed disappointment and concern over Benitez’s actions.
• “It’s not acceptable to use a fake identity or pretend to be someone you’re not,” said one neighbor.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents that impersonating a law enforcement officer or using false credentials is a serious offense and can result in severe penalties.

Official city info: City of Boca Raton.

Source: Original Report