They say failure is only practice for when you get it right, but, one Florida man might want to try something other than impersonating a law enforcement officer after he was arrested for a second time.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, LeRoy Stotelmyer, 60, was arrested on Wednesday after he attempted to flash a law enforcement badge to try and get out of paying a $2 toll.
Investigators were alerted to Stotelmyer's attempted deception on March 11 by a toll bridge attendant who showed deputies video of Stotelmyer showing a law enforcement badge to try and get out of paying for the toll.
On-duty officers are allowed to bypass tolls free of charge, officials said.
Not to be outdone, after Stotelmyer flashed the fake silver badge at the toll booth attendant, the attendant showed him an article about his previous arrest for impersonating a law enforcement officer. Stotelmyer reportedly then put away the badge and paid the $2 toll.
"This guy clearly has not learned his lesson and has no respect for the law," Sheriff Rick Staly said. "Two days after his release and he is already up to his old tricks. We know already that he thinks he can get out of shoplifting and paying tolls with his fake badge, I am happy we were able to get him back off the streets before something more serious occurs. He thinks he wants to be a cop, now he gets to see what it’s like to be an inmate."
This isn't the first time Stotelmyer has attempted to get a freebie with the fake badge. Officers interviewed several other toll attendants who recounted stories of the suspect displaying a gold or silver badge numerous times over the last few months, identifying himself as a U.S. Air Marshall. Stotelmyer also began recently asking questions about the toll bridge cameras and how they work.
Stotelmyer was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and charged with Felony Violation of Pre-Trial Release and Impersonating an Officer. He's is currently being held on no bond.
Photo: Flagler County Sheriff's Office