BEVERLY
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A local man who allegedly stole turnout gear so he could respond to emergencies and act like a firefighter has been indicted.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Tony L. Beverly, 18, of 261 N. Main St., West Mansfield. Beverly is charged with one count each of trespass in a habitation and receiving stolen property, both felonies. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of acting likes a firefighter and misconduct at an emergency.
According to court documents, officials from the Marysville Division of Fire noticed a man had shown up to several emergency situations but was not a firefighter with their department.
About 7:07 p.m., April 14, the Marysville Fire Department responded to an emergency call at the New Dover Mobile Home Park.
Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton said Beverly was living with someone in the area and heard the call.
According to a release from the sheriff’s office, when fire officials arrived at the scene, “a person was found inside the home with the patient and the person identified himself as a volunteer fire fighter.”
“He went to the address and spoke with the 911 caller and went into the residence,” Patton said. “He was there holding the door for Marysville Fire Department when they got there.”
According to the report, the man, later identified as Beverly, was wearing fire fighter bunker pants and had a fire department radio pager with him. Beverly allegedly claimed to be a volunteer fire fighter with the Bokes Creek Fire Department in Logan County.
Noting that something seemed off about Beverly and his story, fire officials contacted the Bokes Creek Fire Department. Bokes Creek officials said Beverly had been with the department, but was terminated from Bokes Creek Fire Department in 2016.
Officials contacted the Union County Sheriff’s Department about Beverly. Law enforcement officials found Beverly the next day, about noon, walking on US Route 36 near Whitestone Road.
Beverly was arrested for an outstanding breaking and entering warrant from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. He was turned over to a Logan County deputy.
During the investigation, officials found Beverly in possession of fire fighter turnout gear, allegedly stolen during a Logan County break-in. The fire gear is valued at more than $3,600.
According to law enforcement officials, Beverly is also under investigation in Logan County for a series of “very similar incidents.”
If convicted on all charges, Beverly could face more than 36 months in prison.