By Boca Vibe
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 Conducting a Traffic Stop
Deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle that had been reported for suspected drunk driving. When they approached the driver, Angel Benitez, he allegedly told them he was a firefighter and refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Benitez’s False Claim Was Quickly Discredited
Deputies immediately became suspicious of Benitez’s claim and began to investigate his identity. After verifying his information, they discovered that he had no affiliation with any fire department and was not a licensed firefighter.
Charges Filed Against Benitez
- Interfering with a law enforcement officer (F.S.A. 847.011)
- Falsifying information to a law enforcement officer (F.S.A. 847.012)
- Resisting arrest without violence or physical force (F.S.A. 843.02)
Benitez was taken into custody and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail, where he was booked on multiple charges.
Benitez’s Arrest Raises Concerns About Public Safety
The arrest of Angel Benitez has raised concerns about public safety in Boca Raton and beyond. If someone is willing to falsely claim to be a firefighter in order to avoid being detained, it could potentially put the community at risk.
Deputies Urge Residents to Be Cautious
“We urge residents to be cautious when approaching law enforcement officers, especially during traffic stops,” said Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. “If you are pulled over for suspected drunk driving, please cooperate fully with the investigation and provide accurate information.”
Official city info: City of Boca Raton.
Source: Original Report