Man accused of stealing fire equipment from apartment complexes

Michael Moser, 39, charged with 111 counts of burglary

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A man accused of stealing from fire rescue officials is now facing 111 counts of burglary.

According to police, Michael Moser, 39, stole fire equipment and copper wiring from apartment complexes in Hollywood and Coral Springs and resold the items.

Moser was arrested in January and appeared in bond court Tuesday as police dug up more cases. Broward County Judge John Jay Hurley read charges stemming back to last summer when Moser and his wife are believed to have been stealing firefighter equipment and reselling it.

Moser is charged with 111 counts of burglary and hindering firefighters.

In the latest case, Moser was arrested Jan. 10 after residents of an apartment complex on Pierce Street off N. 28th Avenue in Hollywood saw Moser and a woman cutting wires and then leaving in a green Kia Soul.

Resident Kevin Gardner said his power suddenly went off early that morning.

"Power was off and I asked the guy if he was working on the building and he was like, 'Yay, '" Gardner told Local 10 News.

Gardner then asked Moser to see his badge. He said he knew something was wrong because the badge was expired. A neighbor then called police.

An officer pulled over the car, driven by a woman who was cited for driving with a suspended license.

According to an arrest report, Moser was wearing a shirt that said "Inspector" and also had an ADT contractor badge around his neck. Police said Moser claimed to have been working on call for emergencies and got a call for the apartment complex he had just left.

Police said Moser claimed he left because residents were threatening him.

Responding officers said Moser was unable to provide any proof that he was ordered to work at the property. They also said a large piece of copper wire was missing from the apartment's utility room.

Another woman who was in the car, identified as Amy Courage, told officers that Moser had told her that they were going to the complex to "scrap some wire."

A judge told Moser that he will not be able to post bail until he proves that the bond money came from legal sources.

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.