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. Read more at BocaVibe.com.
According to authorities, Angel Benitez, 32, of West Palm Beach, was pulled over by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies on April 12 around midnight. The deputies suspected that the driver had been drinking and were conducting a field sobriety test.
False Identity Claim
When the deputies approached Benitez’s vehicle, he allegedly told them that he was a firefighter with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue department. He claimed to be on his way to respond to an emergency call.
The deputies were not fooled by Benitez’s claim and attempted to detain him further. However, Benitez continued to resist arrest and allegedly interfered with the investigation.
Arrest and Charges
Benitez was taken into custody just after midnight on April 12 and was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing an officer, and providing false information to law enforcement.
- Resisting Arrest: Benitez allegedly resisted the deputies’ attempts to detain him, which led to his arrest.
- Obstructing an Officer: The deputies claimed that Benitez’s actions obstructed their ability to conduct a lawful investigation.
- Providing False Information: Benitez’s claim of being a firefighter was deemed false by authorities, and he was charged with providing false information to law enforcement.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to be cautious when interacting with law enforcement officers. They advise that anyone suspected of driving under the influence should not attempt to resist arrest or provide false information.
Fire Department Response
The Palm Beach County Fire Rescue department has confirmed that Angel Benitez is not a firefighter and was not on duty at the time of his arrest.
The fire department expressed disappointment in Benitez’s actions, stating that they take pride in serving their community and upholding the law.
Official city info: City of Boca Raton.
Source: Original Report