Fake 550-pound Firefighter Scamming Florida Eateries

True Casselberry firefighters are taking the issue personally.

July 18, 2007

2 min read

Firefighters are warning people to look out for a man posing as a Casselberry fireman in order to get refunds from restaurants.

There will soon be fliers out telling restaurant owners to be on the look out for an impersonator, WESH 2 News reported.

The manager of a local Mexican grill said he tried to believe the customer was always right and he also wanted to help out a local firemen.

According to the manager, the man told him that he took food to the firehouse for the other guys and there was hair in it, but it didn't seem to be true.

Officials said not too many firefighters are 5 feet 11 inches and 550 pounds.

"I think he was trying to align himself with someone who is high in the community," Ryan Adelman said.

"This seems to be a guy trying to swindle the public," firefighter Dale Metz said.

Since the man's posing as a Casselberry firefighter, the local firefighters are taking it personally. A flier will soon go out with the man's picture on it and his name.

"We're proud of our well-earned reputation and we work hard to make sure it's protected," Metz said.

It is a felony to impersonate a fireman.