As if parking wasn’t enough of a headache in Hermosa Beach, police say they caught a man posing as a parking attendant at a city lot, telling motorists the meters are out of order, and collecting fees.
Police said the man, identified as Alexei Maine Fleming, 21, of Redondo Beach, told them he was using the money to pay his rent.
It all came to a head about 7 p.m. Tuesday, when HBPD officers responded to a municipal parking lot near the beach at 13th Street, regarding a man collecting money for parking. Upon arrival, they contacted a man near the intersection of Pier and Hermosa avenues.
“Suspect Fleming was in possession of a two-way radio, receipt book, and a hand written sign that read, ‘This system is currently out of order. As an apology unlimited parking is only $3 for all day for today. Thank you,’” Detective Mick Gaglia said.
“Suspect Fleming admitted that he was collecting parking fees in order to pay his rent, and that he had done this on June 17 and 18,” Gaglia said.
Police were urging any drivers who paid the man to contact Detective Poelstra at 310-318-0341 or gpoelstra@hermosapolice.org.
