From the Coaster’s Joanne L. Papaianni (link culled from the Journal News’ Peter Abraham) :
An Asbury Park man has been cited by police for impersonating Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain at several places along the shore.
Ryan Ward, 29, was reported to Belmar Police Aug. 1 after telling workers at Belmar Bagels that he was the famed pitcher and accepting free food from girls working at the shop.
According to Captain Thomas Palmisano, Ward showed the girls a picture from a newspaper of Chamberlain and said he was the pitcher.
œThe girls asked for his autograph and gave him free food, Palmisano said.
Ward, pretending he was Chamberlain, told the girls not to tell anybody he was in town.
œHe must look close enough because he™s been pulling this off, Palmisano added, but said police do not have Ward™s picture.
I’ve been able to locate a photograph of the accused (Belmar’s “finest” my ass), and I have to challenge Abraham’s claim that those duped were “dumb”. Looks like a dead ringer to me.
I’m pretty sure that the bagel thief was the real Joba. It’s pretty easy to get a fake ID in the City. I’m sure he just didn’t want to get caught using his real name. I would probably do the same thing…but not for bagels.