Police: Man impersonated officer, attacked hotel manager

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police are searching for a man who is accused of impersonating an officer and attacking a hotel manager to get free breakfast.
 
Dunwoody police said the man who was captured in surveillance images stooped to violence, and tried to pass himself off as a police officer to get access to the continental breakfast in the Staybridge Suites.
 
"If you're really desperate, you go to desperate lengths," said hotel guest Michael Caruso.
 
When the manager of the extended stay hotel on Ridgeview Road realized the man wasn't a guest, police said she asked him to leave.
 
"The gentleman became irate and confrontational and proceeded to get a hot cup of liquid and throw it in the manager's face while pushing them," said Officer Tim Fecht of the Dunwoody Police Department.
 
That was back in December, but police said the man, who is about 5 feet 9 inches and in his 30s, has returned about twice a week since then.
 
Most recently they said he came in wearing all black and pretended to be a cop.
 
"As he walked in the hotel (he) flashed what appeared to be a badge and they weren't able to get a clear view of it to see if it was a legitimate badge or like a souvenir," Fecht said.
 
When the staff tried to call the real police, the man ran toward a neighboring apartment complex.
 
Police are concerned because the man is getting more aggressive and they aren't sure what he'll do if he comes back.
 
"If he's wanting to get confrontational and angry just getting a free breakfast, we're not sure what else he's capable of doing or what his mindset is," Fecht said.
 
"It's pretty shocking that someone would go to those lengths," Caruso said.
 
Police ask anyone who can identify the man to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.

WSBTV