In a display of sheer culinary desperation, 32-year-old Jermaine Young of Youngstown, Ohio, decided that paying full price for his Denny’s meal was simply unacceptable. So, he allegedly impersonated a police officer to snag a discount, because nothing says “law enforcement” like a Grand Slam breakfast.
According to reports, Young waltzed into the Denny’s on Belmont Avenue, flashed a detective badge from the Struthers Police Department, and inquired about the law enforcement discount. The unsuspecting employee, perhaps too busy to question the legitimacy of a man seeking cheaper pancakes, applied the discount. Young then paid for his meal with two $20 bills and left.
The plot thickened when employees discovered that the $20 bills were counterfeit. That’s right—Young not only impersonated an officer but also paid with fake money. It’s as if he was auditioning for a role in the world’s dumbest heist movie.
The employee, who recognized Young, reported the incident to the real authorities. A Liberty officer confirmed with the Struthers Police Department that Young was not employed there and had no business possessing a badge. Young now faces charges of impersonating a police officer, criminal simulation, and theft. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
This isn’t the first time someone has tried to impersonate an officer for personal gain. In 2016, Cody James Burton was charged with impersonating a police officer to get a free meal at a restaurant, only to be caught by real officers dining there.
So, let this be a lesson: if you’re considering impersonating law enforcement for a discount on your Moons Over My Hammy, maybe just stick to clipping coupons.