Crime & Safety

Man Charged with Impersonating PG County Fire Official

The suspect was at the scene of a Charles County fire and allegedly asked to help put out the flames.

Deputy State Fire Marshals have arrested a Charles County man for impersonating a Prince George’s County fire official.

On Jan. 3, Richard Donald Francisco, 41, dressed in a Prince George’s County firefighter uniform, reportedly approached fire officials at the scene of a fire at 4740 Crain Highway in White Plains, according to authorities. Francisco spoke to the incident commander and asked to help with the fire, telling the commander he was a chief officer, authorities say.

The commander, believing what Francisco said, assigned him to a position on the scene. After the incident, officials learned Francisco was no longer affiliated with the department.

Find out what's happening in Hyattsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Investigators obtained a criminal summons and served it at Francisco’s residence on Friday without incident. Francisco faces charges of impersonating a member of the emergency squad. If convicted, he faces three years in prison.

Read Also

Find out what's happening in Hyattsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Hyattsville