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Wayne county sheriff benny napoleon busts scammer preying on local senior
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Suspect’s attempt to steal cash from worried Great-Grandma ends in arrest.

 

Around 2:30 this afternoon Sheriff Benny Napoleon received an SOS from a citizen whose mother had just been hit by a classic scam. The 87-year-old great-grandmother got a call that her grandson was seriously injured, on his way to the hospital, but needed some $250 to have his vehicle towed and fixed. Worried, she told the caller she only had a fraction of that amount, which he agreed to pick up immediately.
 

Minutes later the woman’s daughter called, heard what had transpired and called her son, who was in fact playing basketball with friends. The daughter quickly notified Sheriff Napoleon who bolted from his office at 1231 St. Antoine to the grandmother’s location and set up a surveillance. Within minutes Sheriff Napoleon watched as the suspect phoned the victim’s landline from just outside the downtown residence, a conversation Napoleon heard through a cell phone the daughter had connected.
 

Without hesitation Sheriff Napoleon quickly arrested the suspect who was wanted on several outstanding warrants and was driving an SUV with a stolen license plate and tab.
 

"There’s nothing worse than someone preying on someone who is vulnerable and helpless," said Sheriff Napoleon. "That could have been my mother, or your great grandmother or elderly uncle. There was no way I was going to let this suspect get away. The people who do this should be warned, stop now or wind up in my jail."
 

The 61 year old Detroit resident could also be facing additional charges including obtaining money under false pretense, a felony. Sheriff Napoleon warns all seniors to be extremely careful and not provide any details when it comes to money they may have or give out personal details like their home address or phone numbers. If you know of a senior who has been the victim of fraud, call the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Napoleon warns all seniors to be extremely careful and not provide any details when it comes to money they may have or give out personal details like their home address or phone numbers. If you know of a senior who has been the victim of fraud, call the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

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