WALTHAM, Mass. -- A Lowell man is under arrest and accused of lying to police about being a high-ranking official in the Marines.
The man told an officer that pulled him over that he was trying to collect toys for the organization “Toys for Tots.†He was even wearing a uniform and medals he did not earn.
The officer who pulled the man over was a former Marine himself and he was not fooled by the man’s disguise.
The man was arrested on his way to Shopper’s Café in Waltham. The restaurant was holding a “Toys for Tots†event and the supposed Staff Sergeant was supposed to pick up the toys.
“Half way through the night someone got a phone call and said that they’re not coming. Apparently he was a fraud and got arrested on the way here,†said Lauren Rutledge of Shopper’s Café.
Detectives said they got suspicious of the man and all the medals of valor he wore on his uniform.
Detectives said the 41-year-old man was dishonorably discharged from the Marines but when he was arrested he was wearing a high ranking Marine’s uniform. He allegedly wore that uniform at toy stores to collect donations for Toys for Tots.
“Someone who knows, particularly the history of the Marine Corps and what that uniform represents, for that individual to wear anything that speaks to one’s honorable service and to one’s valor of service, as I said I find that not only disrespectful but unconscionable,†said Tom Lyons, the chairman of the Boston Semper Fidelis Society.
The suspect told the police it was merely a costume and was meant to attract people to bring more toys.
“To call it a costume, it’s not a costume, particularly the uniform he had on,†said Lyons.
The man was arrested for an unrelated outstanding warrant but he was also charged for wearing the fake uniform. Police are investigating if the man stole any of the cash donations.
“He was still doing the right thing with the toys and with the charity but he was misrepresenting himself so he’s essentially lying to you, so how do you really know,†said Rutledge.
The restaurant was able to hold their event and they handed the toys to the leaders of “Toys for Tots.â€
The uniform was adorned with many medals, including the Purple Heart.
“You don’t get a Purple Heart for showing up,†said Lyons.
The man is being held on bail and is facing a number of new charges including possessing military property without authorization and wearing a military uniform without authorization.
The man told an officer that pulled him over that he was trying to collect toys for the organization “Toys for Tots.†He was even wearing a uniform and medals he did not earn.
The officer who pulled the man over was a former Marine himself and he was not fooled by the man’s disguise.
The man was arrested on his way to Shopper’s Café in Waltham. The restaurant was holding a “Toys for Tots†event and the supposed Staff Sergeant was supposed to pick up the toys.
“Half way through the night someone got a phone call and said that they’re not coming. Apparently he was a fraud and got arrested on the way here,†said Lauren Rutledge of Shopper’s Café.
Detectives said they got suspicious of the man and all the medals of valor he wore on his uniform.
Detectives said the 41-year-old man was dishonorably discharged from the Marines but when he was arrested he was wearing a high ranking Marine’s uniform. He allegedly wore that uniform at toy stores to collect donations for Toys for Tots.
“Someone who knows, particularly the history of the Marine Corps and what that uniform represents, for that individual to wear anything that speaks to one’s honorable service and to one’s valor of service, as I said I find that not only disrespectful but unconscionable,†said Tom Lyons, the chairman of the Boston Semper Fidelis Society.
The suspect told the police it was merely a costume and was meant to attract people to bring more toys.
“To call it a costume, it’s not a costume, particularly the uniform he had on,†said Lyons.
The man was arrested for an unrelated outstanding warrant but he was also charged for wearing the fake uniform. Police are investigating if the man stole any of the cash donations.
“He was still doing the right thing with the toys and with the charity but he was misrepresenting himself so he’s essentially lying to you, so how do you really know,†said Rutledge.
The restaurant was able to hold their event and they handed the toys to the leaders of “Toys for Tots.â€
The uniform was adorned with many medals, including the Purple Heart.
“You don’t get a Purple Heart for showing up,†said Lyons.
The man is being held on bail and is facing a number of new charges including possessing military property without authorization and wearing a military uniform without authorization.
