LIVINGSTON COUNTY (WWJ) - A young man was arrested and charged with two felonies for impersonating a firefighter last week after fire officials noticed something was off when he showed up to a fire in Livingston County.
The Unadilla Township Police Department said officials were tipped off to the case when firefighters responded to a blaze on Van Syckle Court in the afternoon hours of Feb. 13.
While crews where on scene, police said a man appeared in a personal vehicle outfitted with emergency lights and a siren. He approached officials with minimal firefighting gear, carrying only a helmet, a safety vest and a radio.
The man, identified as a resident of Grand Blanc, told authorities he was with the Brighton Fire Department and had been called in to help. Officials noted the department was over 20 miles from Unadilla Township and Brighton had not been contacted to assist with fire efforts.
The man was not permitted to help and he left, the fire department said.
Crews were able to contain the fire, officials added. The main residence sustained only minor damage while the garage was a total loss. The fire appears to be accidental and no injures were reported, but an investigation into the cause of the blaze remains ongoing.
When officers were made aware of the incident, they went a questioned the man who admitted to being at the scene of the Unadilla Twp. fire, as well as several other fires in other counties.
Officials seized the 18-year-old's vest and radio along with other evidence.
The man was taken into custody and charged with impersonating a firefighter and use of a receiver or scanner in the commission of a felony. The suspect's name was not released by authorities.