Florida Man Accused of Impersonating Pizzeria in Scheme To Defraud Tourists

A man in South Florida has been arrested and faces a felony charge accused of impersonating a well-known pizza parlor in a years-long scheme to defraud them.

Jose Marti-Alvarez, 55, is accused of posing as a delivery man for Roman’s Pizzeria in Miami and delivering undercooked or raw pizzas to tourists staying in hotels in Miami Springs, according to Local10.

In addition to delivering bad pizzas, Marti-Alvarez allegedly posted fake flyers advertising “Roman Pizzeria” to tourists’ hotel rooms near Miami International Airport.

Police say this went on for several years and resulted in complaints to the Better Business Bureau, negative reviews, and upset customers for the legitimate business, as reported by Local10.

Marti-Alvarez is facing an aggravated battery charge after he allegedly fled from hotel staff and hit a staff member with his vehicle, according to police.

The owner of Roman’s Pizzeria, Jesus Roman, who has owned the shop for 40 years, told NBC Miami that customers he never served started issuing complaints.

Roman told Local10 that the pizzas these customers were allegedly delivered were often “bad, uncooked, sometimes they (were sent) in a box with a piece of raw dough.”

Some orders were also incorrect or fraudulently priced, according to investigators.

After Roman told police about the reports, Marti-Alvarez was arrested and charged with organized scheme to defraud.

Despite the effects he says it had on his business, Roman said, “I didn’t want him to get arrested, but that’s something that had to happen to stop him. It’s not the right thing to do – he could have done it the right way; this wouldn’t have happened,” according to NBC Miami.

Roman also reportedly did not ask for apologies or a long prison sentence for Marti-Alvarez, and told CBSNews, “I would like him to not use my restaurant’s name and if he uses his right name, then do the right food.”

He continued, “He could have his own business. He can do his own stuff. It’s his own name. There’s nothing wrong with that. We’re all here to work and get by. I appreciate that. I would like that.”

According to CBSNews, Marti-Alvarez has been released on a bond set at $5,000.

According to the Wade Law Firm in Tampa, a scheme to defraud can classify as a third, second, or first-degree felony, and the punishment if convicted guilty varies depending on the classification and value of property involved.

Newsweek reached out to the Miami Springs Police for comment via email.

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