Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Joseph Pineda was charged with impersonating a police officer and improper exhibition of a firearm.
ST. PETERSBURG — Authorities in Florida say a man flashed a fake gun and badge and demanded free fast food at a McDonald's drive-thru.
Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies say Joseph Pineda told employees Friday that he deserved free food, had just come from a sting and didn't have his wallet.
Workers called the police. Pineda initially ignored commands to show his hands but eventually surrendered at gunpoint.
Authorities said they found two fake police badges and a handgun in the center console of his car.
The 33-year-old was charged with impersonating a police officer and improper exhibition of a firearm.
He was being held in the Pinellas County Jail. Online jail records did not indicate whether he had an attorney.
Marco Island Academy ribbon cutting
Marco Island Code Compliance Board
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.