Albany Police are trying to determine if there is a connection with recent reports of a man impersonating a fire inspector with three additional incidents that have occurred since last July in the city.
Officers took a report yesterday at 91 Southern Boulevard from the owner
of the Food Mart. The owner said on Monday while his wife was watching
the store a man walked in and showed a badge and told her he was an
inspector from the Albany Fire Department and he was there to inspect
the fire extinguishers. He then placed a certification tag around the
extinguisher and gave the wife a receipt for $40 which she paid. The
suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, medium height and
build
In addition there were two more incidents that occurred this afternoon.
One at 423 Madison Avenue, Emperors Palace and one at the Lark Street
Flower Shop at 262 Lark Street. The suspect was successful in getting
$40 from Emperors Palace but was unsuccessful at the flower shop. He
was described as a Hispanic male, 6’ wearing a blue puffy jacket
It also appears this individual also approached other businesses in
Guilderland, Colonie and Schenectady with the same motive.
In 2009 there were three additional reports in which a man claimed to be
an inspector for the Albany Fire Extinguisher Company and was there to
inspect their fire extinguishers. On July 17 a man walked into the
Unique Army & Navy store at 129 Central Avenue and told the clerk he
wanted $40 to check their extinguisher otherwise they would face a $500
fine from the Albany Fire Department.
On July 20 a man walked into the Subway at 324 Central Avenue and
approached the manager and told him he was there to inspect the
extinguishers and wanted $30. The manager refused to pay him and the
man left the store.
On December 22 a man walked into the EZ Care Fabric Store at 900 Central
Avenue and told the clerk he was from the Albany Fire Extinguisher
Company and wanted money to inspect the extinguisher. He was
unsuccessful in getting any money and left the store.
Mayor Jennings stated, “All of our local businesses should be on alert
to the fact that it appears we have someone impersonating an Albany Fire
Fighter or a representative from a local fire extinguisher
company and are trying to elicit payment for fake inspections. I
strongly encourage anyone who is approached in this manner and is
suspicious of the individual’s credentials, to call our police
department.”
Chief Robert Forezzi Sr. said, “All of our firefighters, as well as our
inspectors from the Division of Building & Codes, are equipped with the
proper identification that they must carry at all times when on duty.
Any fees associated with inspection services are only received at City
Hall and if anyone feels something improper has occurred they should
report it immediately to the department.”
Detective James Miller
Department Spokesperson
City of Albany Police Dept
Officers took a report yesterday at 91 Southern Boulevard from the owner
of the Food Mart. The owner said on Monday while his wife was watching
the store a man walked in and showed a badge and told her he was an
inspector from the Albany Fire Department and he was there to inspect
the fire extinguishers. He then placed a certification tag around the
extinguisher and gave the wife a receipt for $40 which she paid. The
suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, medium height and
build
In addition there were two more incidents that occurred this afternoon.
One at 423 Madison Avenue, Emperors Palace and one at the Lark Street
Flower Shop at 262 Lark Street. The suspect was successful in getting
$40 from Emperors Palace but was unsuccessful at the flower shop. He
was described as a Hispanic male, 6’ wearing a blue puffy jacket
It also appears this individual also approached other businesses in
Guilderland, Colonie and Schenectady with the same motive.
In 2009 there were three additional reports in which a man claimed to be
an inspector for the Albany Fire Extinguisher Company and was there to
inspect their fire extinguishers. On July 17 a man walked into the
Unique Army & Navy store at 129 Central Avenue and told the clerk he
wanted $40 to check their extinguisher otherwise they would face a $500
fine from the Albany Fire Department.
On July 20 a man walked into the Subway at 324 Central Avenue and
approached the manager and told him he was there to inspect the
extinguishers and wanted $30. The manager refused to pay him and the
man left the store.
On December 22 a man walked into the EZ Care Fabric Store at 900 Central
Avenue and told the clerk he was from the Albany Fire Extinguisher
Company and wanted money to inspect the extinguisher. He was
unsuccessful in getting any money and left the store.
Mayor Jennings stated, “All of our local businesses should be on alert
to the fact that it appears we have someone impersonating an Albany Fire
Fighter or a representative from a local fire extinguisher
company and are trying to elicit payment for fake inspections. I
strongly encourage anyone who is approached in this manner and is
suspicious of the individual’s credentials, to call our police
department.”
Chief Robert Forezzi Sr. said, “All of our firefighters, as well as our
inspectors from the Division of Building & Codes, are equipped with the
proper identification that they must carry at all times when on duty.
Any fees associated with inspection services are only received at City
Hall and if anyone feels something improper has occurred they should
report it immediately to the department.”
Detective James Miller
Department Spokesperson
City of Albany Police Dept
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