Police: Con Artist Robbed Near North Bar

Robber claimed to be CFD lieutenant, police say

Liar, liar, pants on fire! A man claiming to be a lieutenant from the Chicago Fire Department robbed a bar in Old Town early Tuesday, reports the Sun-Times.

A man wearing a Chicago Fire Department sweatshirt and carrying a radio walked into Burton Place Inc. (1447 N Wells St) just before 3 a.m., according to police reports.

The self-proclaimed lieutenant—described as an unarmed Black man in his 40s, with diamond-studded ears—said he needed to talk to the boss about an emergency, said police.

He didn't make any threats, but he apparantly talked someone into forking over some cash, because he left the bar with an undisclosed amount of money, reports the Sun-Times.

Did he pull a Jedi mind trick?

On Saturday, a Fire Department imposter in the Loop was also reported to police. That time, the man told the Lakeshore Athletic Club staff (at 211 N Stetson Ave) that they had violated fire codes and convinced them to pay him more than $500 in fines, said police.

It is not yet known if the two incidents are related, according to the Sun-Times.

Fire department officials on Wednesday called the impostors a "nuisance," and said they're inspectors would never ask for money.  Payment of fines is made directly to the city, not the inspectors.  They also put out the reminder that inspectors always wear ID badges and are in uniform.

In the meantime, have we got a bridge to sell you ...

Matt Bartosik is a Chicago native and a social media sovereign.

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