By Daily Press staff
Police are on the hunt for a man who poses as a fire extinguisher repairman, accepts payment and then makes off without ever completing the job.
On Monday, Santa Monica Police responded to the 200 block of Broadway regarding a theft investigation. Officers spoke to a store merchant who said the suspect entered his store and said he was there to service the store’s fire extinguishers. Apparently, he acquired money for servicing the fire extinguishers and left without performing the work.
“They’ve had incidents in Beverly Hills, too,” said SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega.
The suspect is described as white, 40 to 45 years old, 5’10”, 280 pounds with brown hair. The suspect was wearing a dark-colored jacket and blue jeans.
The Santa Monica Fire Department enforces the California Code of Regulations Title 19 that requires fire extinguishers be serviced once a year. Businesses should check the tag that is affixed to their fire extinguisher for that information, police said. On the tag is the date and month it was last serviced. State-licensed contractors are the only ones approved to conduct this type of service, police said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 10, 2003. Read the original PDF.