Police Warn About Fraudulent Fire Inspector

Authorities from the are warning area businesses about an individual who was posing as a fire inspector the past few weeks.

From Sgt. Jerry Habanek of the Waukesha Police Department:

Earlier this week, the Waukesha Fire Department was conducting routine fire inspections on businesses in the city and had learned that an individual claiming to be a fire department inspector had been through multiple businesses within the past two to three weeks.

It is unknown whether this individual was using this ruse to better learn about the businesses for committing future crimes such as burglary or robbery or if he had some other motive.  The concern of both the police and fire departments is not only the potential this would be a pre-cursor to another crime but that this also erodes public trust.

The suspect “inspected” a handful of businesses in Waukesha. The businesses were all industrial in nature.  The suspect wore a light blue button up shirt with a badge, wore sunglasses during the inspections and may have drove a white Chevy Impala. 

Waukesha police and fire departments encourage businesses/individuals to be aware that fire inspectors will be in uniform, have a fire department badge and identification card, have a radio, clip board and a fire department vehicle, which is typically marked.  If there are any questions to the legitimacy of the Inspector, please contact the Dispatch Center’s non-emergency line at 262-524-3831 (or 911 by landline if there is an emergency).

The police department is investigating this matter.  At this time there are no suspects.  If you have any information, please contact Detective Eileen Micklitz with any information at 262-522-1011.