The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about individuals who may solicit business in their neighborhoods.

The alert stems from an arrest Wednesday of a Rincon man investigators say falsely represented himself as a firefighter as he solicited work in a local neighborhood.

According to the ECSO, deputies received a report of a man going door-to-door in Goshen Hills Plantation asking people for money in return for painting their addresses on their curb.

Witnesses reported that the man, identified as Richard Hagedorn, 35, of Rincon, said he worked for the fire department and was in the neighborhood to paint addresses and collect money. The fire department verified that Hagedorn does not work for them or represent them. 

According to the report, Hagedorn appeared intoxicated and misrepresented himself. He was arrested and charged with disorderly/indecent conduct but could face an additional charge, ECSO spokesman Detective David Ehsanipoor said.

Rincon Fire Chief Corey Rahn said any members of the fire department representing themselves to the public would be in uniform and easily identified.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity such as this is always encouraged to contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office or other local law enforcement agency.