Fire fighter impersonator intrudes at UNL sorority

[TSteven]

Fire fighter impersonator intrudes at UNL sorority
By: Andy Boyle
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: News
2007 Daily Nebraskan
(University of Nebraska)

A man entered the Kappa Kappa Gamma house early Wednesday morning and said he was a fire fighter inspecting the house.
Turns out he wasn’t.

Brian Bashore, 29, entered the house around 2 a.m. Wednesday, said Capt. Carl Oestmann of University Police. Bashore walked around, made small talk with people and allegedly told them he was a firefighter. Then he produced some identification and left about 10 minutes after his impromptu “inspection,” Oestmann said.

The sorority members wrote down the name they saw on his ID and a detailed description of the man, Oestmann said, and then they called the police.

University Police contacted Bashore around 10 a.m., and he came to the police station willingly, Oestmann said.

Bashore told police he drank some alcohol earlier that night and entered the house through an unlocked door, Oestmann said.

He was cited for trespassing, disturbing the peace and impersonating a public servant. His arraignment is set for March 1, Oestmann said.

Dean Staberg, deputy chief for Lincoln Fire and Rescue, said Bashore’s alleged routine is far from what really happens during inspections.

“First off, if a fire official is coming, we’ll do it during regular business hours, and we’ll be wearing uniforms, and we’ll have appropriate ID,” he said.

Law enforcement officers try to prevent impersonators like this, Staberg said, but people need to check with police if they have any doubt about a person’s credibility.

“Call the police first,” Staberg said. “If somebody is impersonating a firefighter, I’d call 911. If they were impersonating a cop, I’d call 911.”

Oestmann said if you’re unsure of who someone is, call the police as soon as you think someone isn’t legitimate.

“Err on caution,” he said. “Even if it is that person, you’re doing your job.”