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. Read more at BocaVibe.com.

According to Authorities, Deputies Were Called To The Scene

The incident occurred at approximately 11:45 PM on April 11, when Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a vehicle being driven erratically on the highway. Upon arrival, deputies observed a white sedan with tinted windows traveling slowly down the road.

• Deputies attempted to pull over the vehicle, but the driver allegedly refused and sped away.
• The pursuit continued for several miles before the driver finally pulled over in a parking lot.

Benitez’s False Claim

When deputies approached Benitez, he claimed to be a firefighter with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue department. He allegedly provided fake identification and told deputies that he was on his way to respond to a fire call.

• Deputies were not fooled by Benitez’s claim, as they had verified his identity through their system.
• Despite this, Benitez continued to insist that he was a firefighter, leading to further investigation and detention.

Charges Filed Against Benitez

Benitez is currently facing charges of obstructing an officer, resisting arrest, and providing false information to law enforcement. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail, where he remains being held on $5,000 bond.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Issues Statement

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement regarding the incident, saying that deputies were “proactive in their approach” and that Benitez’s actions were “not acceptable behavior.” The agency is urging citizens to always cooperate with law enforcement during traffic stops.

Official city info: City of Boca Raton.

Source: Original Report