Oregon couple charged with impersonating firefighters to sneak into wildfire evacuation zone
A couple from Oregon wearing fake fire equipment and driving a fire truck they bought at an auction and accused them after the authorities prevented them from infiltrating them to the area of evacuation of the Balsadis Fire.
Provincial Prosecutor Nathan Hotenman said that Dustin Neil, 31, and Jennifer Neil, 44, was accused of impersonating firefighters during forest fires in Los Angeles Province. press release Friday. It is not clear whether either of them got a lawyer.
The police department said in a statement that the couple was arrested on January 18 after it came to a police periodic unit that was traveling in the Balsadis Fire area accompanied by firefighters, “a fire truck that does not seem to be legitimate.” press release.
Representatives stopped the firefighter while trying to enter the evacuation area. The police department said that the Nelsi family had radio devices and were wearing firefighters equipment, including Cal Fire and helmet shirts.
It is claimed that the spouses said that they are from the Rurring River extinguishing administration in Oregon, and it is not a legitimate agency. The authorities learned that the truck in which they had been purchased at an auction. The truck was seized at a later time.
According to the Sharif Department, the couple said that they were in the evacuation area on January 17, one day before their arrest.
“The impersonation of the first respondents exposes the safety of our society and the welfare of those who choose to engage in such reckless behavior, especially during the state of emergency.” “These types of behaviors can have severe consequences, mislead the audience, and lead them to confidence in an unqualified person who bears responsibilities that are not equipped to deal with.”
Dustin Neil’s mother, Marilyn Neil, said: Los Angeles Magazine The couple lost their child in December and “only help”.
Hutchman said that officials “appreciate the desire to help”, but they must “comply with the law to avoid interfering in the application of the law and the first respondents, who are working tirelessly to maintain our societies safe during these emergency situations.”
The prosecutor’s office in the region said that Jennifer Neil was released with her own pledge because it has no criminal history. Dustin Neil was rejected and the guarantee was set for $ 30,000. The Sharif office said it had a criminal history in Oregon due to criminal harm and intentional burning.
Both are scheduled to return to the court for a hearing before the trial on February 11. If they are convicted, they will face a maximum of 180 days in the province’s prison.
