Police have charged 26 year old Christopher Kieter from the 200 block of South 13th street in Philadelphia in connection with multiple burglaries that took place involving museums and schools. Police allege Kieter would dress as a fireman doing an inspection to gain the trust and access he needed.
According to police, Kieter's rampage started on January 3 of this year. That is when he presented himself to the security at the Academy of Music and asked to do an inspection of the fire extinguishers . Police allege that Kieter was able to break from his security escort and remove a radio, headphones and a laptop computer. he was wearing a Fire Department
The next day, wearing the same official shirt and having a radio that was similar to the Fire Department, he gained entry to the Visitors Center, at Independence Wall and was caught taking and XTS 3000 radio and other items belonging to the National Park Service. If this radio is equipped with encryption, Kieter could face serious Federal Charges as well, as he is not permitted to posses a device capable of deciphering encrypted traffic. He can also face federal charges for allegedly stealing federal property.
There were no more sighting of the phoney fire inspector until January 8. At that time the defendant allegedly entered the Art Institute of Philadelphia wearing Philadelphia Fire Department clothing and wanted to do a fire inspection. He pulled tags from extinguishers and threatened to fine the school. As he approached the equipment cage, he demanded people leave the area, under the guise that he was going to spray the atmosphere. as the employees came back, the noticed computers missing.
It is perfectly legal to wear fire department t shirts and sweatshirts. It is illegal to wear them to gain entry into restricted areas, or tell people you are e a firefighter when indeed you are not.
A check of the visitors log showed Kieter used his real name to gain entry. Police executed a search warrant yesterday, January 13 of his residence and recovered many missing items. He is charged with criminal impersonation of a public servant, theft, and related offenses.
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