Police arrested one man and are searching for another, after authorities say the pair pretended to solicit donations for wounded veterans outside supermarkets in New Jersey.
The two men are accused of setting up tables outside several ShopRites around the state and requesting donations for the Wounded Warriors Project, an organization that provides services to wounded military veterans.
According to police, 36-year-old Paul Doyle, of Paterson, and 36-year-old John Szkapiak Jr., of Butler, used an American flag draped table and displayed brochures about the organization, along with literature about being a 501(c)(3), while seeking cash donations in buckets.
"They were both wearing camouflage pants, so to a normal citizen who just wants to donate to Wounded Warriors, it looked legit," said Englewood Police Det. Captain Tim Torell.
After receiving a report about the pair, police determined that the men were in no way connected to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Both men have been charged with third degree theft by deception and third degree wrongful impersonation. Police arrested Szkapiak last week, but Doyle remains a fugitive.
"It's a despicable act," said Lester Rubinfield, an 85-year-old Korean War veteran who lives in Englewood. "These poor guys have a difficult life ahead of them, the veterans, and to take advantage of them, it's disgraceful."
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Anyone with information about Doyle's whereabouts is asked to to contact the Englewood Police Department at 201-568-2711.
-- Danielle Elias contributed to this report.
