Florida’s Homer Simpson arrested for impersonating a US marshal
Homer Simpson, using the name Charles Barry, used his father’s badge to get discounted doughnuts at a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise in Florida. I guess the cops thought that was serious enough to have an undercover cop waiting for him, according to a link sent to us by Andy from ABC News;
“Yesterday, we had an undercover deputy in the store,” Pasco County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Douglas Tobin said. “He usually comes in at the same time. This time, he didn’t show his badge, but we had enough reason to arrest him.”
The previous alleged incidents occurred June 6, 7, and 12.
Police said they found a .38-caliber revolver in his pocket during the arrest, as well as ammunition in the vehicle.
Barry was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon. He was released Tuesday on $5,150 bail.
I guess that the cops were upset that someone was taking a piece of their stash. I’m glad this crime is solved finally.
Category: Crime
Ok someone has a great sense of humor. The bail amount lol. Too funny.
This has been something that has always bothered me. A person dresses up as a police officer, acts like a police officer, and, it’s a crime. Now, people dress up all the time as service members, act like service members, yet, that’s freedom of speech. I’ve never understood the difference on why one is ‘ok’ per se, and the other will get you a court date, ticket, and jail time.
Any word on whether or not he’s a member of the USVMC?
Wait.. a cop going undercover in a DONUT SHOP.
Is that like, a dream job?
That would be like.. sending Homer to spy on a Duff factory??
@2 Because the police POLICE our citizens. They have the authority to arrest, detain, and if necessary, use lethal force against us. Our military generally does not. There is an immediate public hazard in a poser cop — not so much with our type of posers.
$5,150 bail? Isn’t 5150 the LAPD call code for “escaped mental patient”? Coincidence? I think not… we’ve got a judge with a sense of humor out there.
@Coldwarrior – you beat me to the punch. Oops, posted before reading all the existing comments. 🙂
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
@6 “5150” is a widely-used radio code amongst fire and law enforcement that basically means you’re dealing with a crazy person, regardless of whether they’ve actually been committed. Where I work, it’s one of only two codes we use in our radio traffic, all clear text otherwise. They kept that one around because “5150” sounds more professional on scanners and/or recordings than “I’m getting really tired of dealing with this batshit-crazy asshole.”
Well, I bet he’s done more with that badge than just discounted doughnuts. Tip of the iceberg and all that
“Private Pyle, do you have to work to become that stupid, or do you just arrive by it naturally!”
Seriously, all I can say is, if I was enough of a tool kit to impersonate a cop, I’d do something really cool with it. Can’t think of exactly what, but it would definitely be something less petty than using a badge to scrimp a few bucks on doughnuts…
I’m glad they went to the effort to get this guy.
Even if he’d only done the donut scam so far, eventually it would have escalated. Times are hard enough as is for the good LEOs, what with so many of the uniform wearers turning themselves out as nothing more than union thugs and other assorted brands of badness. There’s already enough tar in the hot pot to make it difficult for many to not just slather the whole bunch, good and bad both.
The guy is 48 and used his deceased father’s New Jersey badge…that is so sad.
5150 H&S is the section of the Ca. Health and Safety Code allowing for the detention of a nutcase for 72 hrs in a facility for mental evaluation. What a dumbass! A Police Discount?? No thanks, not in 25 yrs I got paid a salary. That can only lead to trouble at some point.
Well glad they got the asshole. While getting a discount on doughnuts is pretty minor whats disturbing is that he flashed a firearm to get in.
It’s a matter of time before this guy uses the phony badge to “collect charity funds” for the local PD or do a “traffic stop” on a 16 year old cheerleader.
@#5 Wow, that’s a good answer. I was wondering that question also, but then you answered it.
@2 – That’s because, here in Calif, at least, impersonating police is illegal per a section (538) in the state Penal Code. Dressing up in a military uniform and acting “soldierly” isn’t mentioned, as far as I know.
@14 – You almost got it right. Sec 5150 is in the Welfare & Institutions code, not H&S.
5150 is also a pretty fair album by Van Halen – the first with Sammy Hagar in the band.
@2. The law determines when it’s a crime to impersonate someone. It’s not limited to those with arrest powers but goes to many professions, depending on the state. Want to call yourself a lawyer? It’s illegal in many states. A judge? Ditto. So, your point is well taken. A state could make it illegal to impersonate a service member.
Dude probably is in Phildo’s MC.
I read the story on a different sight earlier today. There is a little more to it than the blurb but yeah he was impersinating a cop for free donuts
When I was a rookie copper, I could eat a dozen donuts in one shift. That’s why cops don’t live very long…ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I could totally see Phildo or Paul (of the Ballsack) perpetrating this scam in retirement.
Doh! 😉
@23 but they are still on the loose, however the perpetrator of the great donut caper of 2013 is finally resolved…
@17 you’re right, but then I’ve been retired and out of the trenches for a looong time and the brain housing gear is slowing down due to rust and lack of continuous engagement.
Most cops take their donuts seriously. Very. Very. Seriously. No wonder the locals planted a plainclothes guy in there. This guy was a threat to LEOs everywhere.