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Police arrest man suspected of posing as firefighter to enter homes, steal items

Updated 9:32 p.m.–
Citrus Heights police have arrested a man suspected of gaining access into homes by posing as a fireman in uniform, allegedly to perform smoke detector inspections, according to a press release tonight from the department.

Police lights, red blue. Photo credit: Luke Otterstad
Stock photo. Citrus Heights Sentinel

“We want to remind the public to be mindful of public safety impersonators,” Citrus Heights police said in the release. “If there is any question as to the true identity of any public safety officer, citizens are encouraged to call the police.”

Police said they responded to an initial report at Sunrise Vista Mobile Home Park on Friday regarding suspicious activity involving a man in a Sacramento Fire uniform, saying they later found he had stolen items from at least two homes.

On Saturday, police said “additional victims came forward with new information,” leading investigators to identify and arrest a 30-year-old firefighter from Roseville, who they said was “confirmed to be a current Firefighter/Paramedic with Sacramento City Fire Department.”

<<Also on The Sentinel today: “Early morning Attic fire ravages home across from Citrus Heights fire station”>>

The firefighter, Craig White, has been booked in the Sacramento County Jail and faces charges of five counts of burglary and three counts of elder abuse, according to police.

Police direct questions for the Sacramento City Fire Department to (916) 216-0316, and say police and firefighters “will arrive in official government vehicles and be clearly marked in uniforms and identification.”

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