Buster

Floridian Masqueraded As Lawman To Secure "Police Discount" At Dunkin’ Donuts

In a bid to secure a “police discount” at Dunkin’ Donuts, a Florida man allegedly showed drive-thru workers a phony badge, displayed a holstered handgun, and falsely claimed to be a law enforcement officer, according to investigators.

Charles Barry, 48, was arrested yesterday for the donut shop masquerade, which he confessed to when confronted by Pasco County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

“I did a stupid thing! I showed a badge to get the law enforcement discount of my food,” Barry told investigators, according to a sheriff’s report. Barry, who works as a salesman at an imaging firm, added that he claimed to be a United States Marshal.

Dunkin’ Donuts workers told cops that Barry was a regular customer who “comes through the drive through and demands a police discount for his order.” Barry, the employees recalled, claimed to be a federal air marshal.

Worker Michelle Hoeltk told deputies that Barry had been “abusing his discount by coming in on the weekends with his family and demanding the discount.” She added that Dunkin Donuts managers decided to “no longer offer him the discount because of his abuse.”

When Barry showed up at Dunkin’ Donuts last Wednesday morning, a worker denied him the discount. An “irate” Barry--who was driving a Volkswagen minivan--then displayed a badge and firearm. “See I am a cop,” the 6’1’, 320-pound Barry reportedly declared.    

A police surveillance operation netted Barry yesterday morning as he drove away from the Dunkin' Donuts. Deputies seized a fake law enforcement badge from his wallet and a .38 caliber revolver from his front pocket (those items are seen in a police evidence photo).

Barry was busted for impersonating a law enforcement officer and improper exhibition of a firearm. He was booked into the Pasco County jail, from which he was released last night after posting $5150 bond.