LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- A phony firefighter has been arrested in California after allegedly appearing in uniform at hundreds of the nation's worst disaster sites, it was reported.
James Campbell wore the uniform of a Los Angeles County firefighter when he volunteered at the World Trade Center site in New York and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
Police found badges, gear, honors, illegal guns, and hundreds of framed photos of Campbell in uniform at disaster sites when they arrested him Friday on suspicion of impersonating a firefighter, possession of stolen property and being a felon in possession of firearms, the Times reported.
"This is a guy who really wanted to be a firefighter. He wanted to act as a hero," said Orange County Deputy District Attorney Andre Manssourian.
Campbell was convicted of felony credit card fraud in 1987, which would have prevented him from joining the county fire department, the Times said.
