Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A man passing himself off as a Civil Protection inspector has been arrested in Playa del Carmen. The arrest took place Tuesday afternoon when the man arrived at a Riviera Maya hotel to inspect the report of an alleged gas leak.
Staff from the Vidanta Riviera Maya hotel were quick to report the man to authorities after he made the claim of the leak, saying he had arrived to verify the facilities. After identifying himself as an inspector of the Ministry of Civil Protection in front of hotel personnel, he did not have proper identification or documents to show the report of the leak.
Police were called and the man, reported for attempted extortion. Hotel security held the man on site until police arrived. Officers from the Ministry of Public Security and Municipal Traffic of Solidaridad arrested 46-year-old David N for usurpation of public function.
David N, who is originally from Tabasco, did work for Civil Protection in Playa del Carmen, however, the office confirmed that he was administrative staff and did not possess power to carry out inspections.
He has since been relieved of his position.
