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, according to authorities. Read more at BocaVibe.com.

• Benitez was pulled over by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for suspected drunk driving.
• When deputies approached his vehicle, he allegedly claimed to be a firefighter with the Boca Raton Fire Department.
• He told officers that he was on his way to respond to an emergency call and didn’t want to be detained during the investigation.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said that Benitez’s claim was not credible, and deputies continued with the DUI investigation. However, when they asked him for identification, he allegedly produced a fake firefighter ID card.

• Benitez was subsequently arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, and providing false information to law enforcement.
• The charges are punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Boca Raton Fire Department officials said that Benitez was not an actual firefighter with the department. “We take pride in our service and would never condone someone impersonating a firefighter,” said a spokesperson for the fire department.

Benitez is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 26.

• The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and cooperation with law enforcement.
• Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or individuals impersonating public officials to the authorities immediately.

This is not the first time someone has attempted to use a false identity to avoid arrest. In recent years, there have been several cases of individuals attempting to impersonate law enforcement officers or other public officials to gain an advantage in their interactions with police.

Official city info: City of Boca Raton.

Source: Original Report