PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A West Palm Beach man was arrested early Sunday morning after he allegedly interfered with a DUI investigation and falsely claimed to be a firefighter when deputies tried to detain him. Angel Benitez was taken into custody just after midnight on April 12, 2026, near a Wawa on Belvedere Road, where Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies were conducting a traffic stop and DUI investigation.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, Deputy J. Fowler was assisting a sergeant on scene when a blue sedan pulled up and two individuals — later identified as Benitez and a woman named Maria Sacerio — got out and approached the active traffic stop. Benitez came within about 20 feet of deputies while holding an unknown object and acting erratically. Despite being given multiple lawful commands in Spanish to back away, Benitez refused to comply and became confrontational. Deputies later determined that Benitez and Sacerio were friends and family members of the subject being investigated for DUI in a separate case.
While the DUI investigation continued, deputies observed Benitez approach to within approximately 10 feet of the scene and begin searching through the rear of a vehicle. A sergeant reportedly heard him giving instructions to the DUI subject, further interfering with the investigation. After Benitez continued to ignore commands to leave the area, he was placed in handcuffs. At some point, Benitez claimed to be a firefighter with Indian River County Fire Rescue — but a deputy contacted a battalion chief with that agency, who confirmed Benitez is not employed there.
Benitez was charged with False Personation of an Official, a felony, along with misdemeanor counts of Obstructing an Officer Without Violence and Interfering with a First Responder on Duty. His total bond was set at $6,250.
