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.

According to Police Report

• Benitez was pulled over by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies for suspected DUI after they observed his vehicle swerving on the road.
• When deputies approached Benitez’ vehicle, he allegedly claimed to be a firefighter and refused to cooperate with the investigation.
• Deputies reported that Benitez became belligerent and attempted to flee the scene, but was eventually apprehended after a short foot chase.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office stated that Benitez’ actions were “reckless and irresponsible” and that he posed a risk to public safety.

Charges Filed Against Benitez

• Benitez was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing an officer, and driving under the influence.
• He was also cited for failure to register his vehicle as required by state law.
• The total value of the charges is over $1,000.

Benitez’ attorney released a statement saying that his client would plead not guilty to all charges and that he looks forward to a fair trial.

Fire Department Response

• The Boca Raton Fire Department issued a statement confirming that Benitez is not a certified firefighter with the department.
• The fire department emphasized that they take incidents involving false claims of being a firefighter seriously and will continue to investigate such cases.

Benitez’ arrest serves as a reminder to motorists to always follow traffic laws and regulations, and to be honest when interacting with law enforcement officials.

Stay Informed

• For the latest news and updates on this story, stay tuned to BocaNewsNow.com.
• Follow us on social media for breaking news and alerts.

Official city info: City of Boca Raton.

Source: Original Report