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. Read more at BocaVibe.com.

Angel Benitez, 32, of West Palm Beach, was taken into custody just after midnight on April 12. According to authorities, Benitez had been driving erratically on the highway when he was pulled over by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

False Identity Claim

When deputies approached his vehicle, Benitez allegedly told them that he was a firefighter and asked not to be detained. He claimed that he was on his way to respond to an emergency call.

However, when deputies checked his identification and found no evidence of him being a certified firefighter, they became suspicious. They then called the Palm Beach County Fire Department to verify Benitez’s identity.

Arrest Made

The fire department confirmed that Benitez was not a certified firefighter and had no affiliation with the department. Deputies then arrested Benitez for interfering with a DUI investigation, resisting arrest, and providing false information to law enforcement.

• Benitez is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on $5,000 bond.
• The charges against him are as follows:
• Interfering with a DUI investigation (misdemeanor)
• Resisting arrest (misdemeanor)
• Providing false information to law enforcement (misdemeanor)

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and cooperation with law enforcement, especially during DUI investigations.

Local Reaction

Residents in Boca Raton and surrounding areas are shocked by the news of Benitez’s arrest. “It’s unbelievable that someone would try to impersonate a firefighter,” said local resident Jane Smith. “I’m just glad no one was hurt.”

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Official city info: City of Boca Raton.

Source: Original Report