Men Impersonated First Responders At Crash Scene In Burlington Co.: Police

MEDFORD, NJ — Two men face charges after impersonating first responders at a crash scene last month in Burlington County. One of them was previously charge with arson and accused of posing as a firefighter during the incident.

On May 17, Medford police responded to a crash with injuries. At the scene, officers noticed two people "behaving unusually" and interfering with operations, police said Tuesday.

The duo wore first-responder gear and arrived in a personal vehicle equipped with emergency lights and sirens, police said.

Police identified the suspects as Matthew G. Hesser, 42, of Delanco, and Matthew J. Schwalbe, 28, of West Berlin. The suspects aren't qualified as first responders in any capacity and aren't authorized to use emergency lights or sirens on their personal vehicles, police said.

They were both charged with impersonating a public servant and several motor-vehicle violations. The suspects were released with a summons, pending future court proceedings.

Neither suspect had an attorney listed in online court records on Tuesday.

In 2018, Hesser was charged with arson after authorities say he intentionally set a shed on fire in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County.

Police initially said Hesser helped put out the blaze as a volunteer for the Mizpah Volunteer Fire Company. But Mizpah's then-fire chief told nj.com that Hesser's firefighter application was never approved.

Hesser had been "hanging out" at the firehouse and applied to join, but his fingerprints and background check were pending, said Jay Davenport, who was serving as Mizpah's fire chief.

"Matt Hesser has been kicked out and will not be allowed to join or be involved with any activities that involve the fire department," Davenport told nj.com.

Patch could not immediately find whether Hesser was convicted or sentenced in the case.