Impersonating a fire chief on Halloween might result in a nice sack of candy.
But authorities Thursday warned against saying you’re the chief while asking a business for cash in a bogus relief effort.
Schenectady Police this week arrested a local man on two misdemeanors, accusing him of being part of a scheme to defraud a local business “by means of a trick,” according to papers filed in court.
Police said the scheme began Wednesday when a manager at The Stockade Inn became immediately suspicious of a caller who claimed to be Schenectady Fire Chief Robert Farstad.
The caller asked for donations. Cash was preferred.
“They were looking for donations for a needy family for a temporary apartment,” inn general manager Jeff McDonald said Thursday. “When I got off the phone, I called the chief and he confirmed it wasn’t him.”
From there, the police got involved.
If anyone showed up to collect the donation, the inn was asked to contact police, Assistant Police Chief Brian Kilcullen said.
That’s when police said 37-year-old Brian Cobb showed up.
Cobb was arrested and charged with one count each of misdemeanor fraudulent accosting and sixth-degree conspiracy.
Police believe it was another man who made the initial phone call. That man is being sought.
Police believe that man was involved in similar incidents in recent weeks, though with somewhat different stories.
Kilcullen urged others to use caution when dealing with requests for donations. Credentials should be asked for, as well as references.
If there’s any suspicion, he said, police should be contacted.
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