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 at the intersection of Federal Highway and Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton.
• The incident occurred when Deputy Michael Jenkins attempted to stop Benitez’s vehicle for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI).
• According to authorities, Benitez became belligerent and refused to exit his vehicle, claiming he was a firefighter with the Boca Raton Fire Department.

Deputies stated that Benitez provided false identification and attempted to intimidate Deputy Jenkins, who had been trained in crisis management techniques.

• Benitez’s ruse did not fool Deputy Jenkins, who recognized the individual as a known troublemaker with a history of making false claims.
• After further investigation, deputies discovered that Benitez was indeed driving under the influence and had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Benitez was charged with DUI, resisting arrest, and providing false information to law enforcement.

• He is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
• The Boca Raton Fire Department has confirmed that Benitez is not an authorized firefighter and has been banned from their premises.

Deputy Michael Jenkins praised his training for handling the situation effectively, saying “My training in crisis management and de-escalation techniques helped me to remain calm and professional despite the individual’s attempts to intimidate me.”

• The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and cooperation with law enforcement.
• Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity or individuals making false claims to the authorities immediately.

This is not an isolated incident, and authorities are reminding the public that making false claims can have serious consequences.

• Anyone with information about Benitez’s whereabouts or identity is encouraged to contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office at (561) 434-7000.

Official city info: City of Boca Raton.

Source: Original Report