View from the cop: Crime & punishment
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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2007 > April > 16 > Entry
Crime & punishment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pay attention to this one. It’s an old scam that visits us from time to time.
A woman said that while she was at Trader Joe’s, she was approached by two females. One had a locked box and said that she found it in the parking lot. She said that she thought the box belonged to an Asian male in a car, in the parking lot. The woman said that she tried to give the Asian man the box but he drove off. The victim said a second woman walked up and said that she worked down the street and she would ask her boss, at the Marshall’s Department Store, what to do. The first suspect left to go to the store. The second suspect rode with the victim, to the store. The victim was told by one of the women that the money was stolen by Asian bad guys and was legit. They told her to come inside the store in ten minutes and he would explain. The two women then walked away, saying they were going to the bank. The victim then realized that $4,000 in cash was missing from her purse.
This is a variation of a pigeon-drop or found-money scam. How did the women know this victim had that much cash? Sounds like they targeted her possibly from some sort of prior information. Mark this in your brain. If anyone comes up and tells you that they found money and they don’t know what to do, and want your help, know that this is probably the beginning of a scam. Guard your stuff. The victim in this case is 67 years old.
Arrests
A 19-year old woman was arrested for Aggravated Assault following a traffic altercation on Roswell Road. According to the victim and passenger, the suspect cut her off on the roadway and was driving in an erratic manner. The victim pulled into an apartment complex, behind the suspect, to get her tag. The suspect came out, threw rocks at the victim’s car and then pulled a knife and started slashing at the car. The victim backed out and later called police.
Don’t get yourself in a bad spot even if what you’re doing is right. That girl could have come out with a gun.
A 48-year old man was arrested after officers found him in the bushes at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. She had called the police for an escort because she feared the man was there. Officers briefly saw him in the bushes but he fled. One of the officers got his cell number from the victim and called it. The man answered. He was arrested a minute or so later. He had several outstanding warrants on him including False Imprisonment (Domestic Violence) and Battery, also domestic.
A patrol officer stopped a 15-year old juvenile whom he knew had run away form home. He was charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Carrying a Weapon in a School Safety Zone. The guns were BB guns but, that is a no-no.
An officer reported that he checked a man who was loitering in an area known for drug activity. The man was intoxicated and a bit belligerent. The man told the officer that he could search him so the officer did and found a pot pipe. The man then got really uncooperative, most likely over the embarrassment of telling the officer to search him and only then remembering he stashed his pipe in his pocket—I’m guessing. Anyway the guy got really ugly and then he was arrested.
A pet store employee was arrested for embezzling money, totaling just over $1000, from the store in the 5900 block of Roswell Road in the form of faking return vouchers.
A 21-year old homeless man was arrested at the Target on Johnson Ferry Road after he stuffed a car stereo down his pants and tried to leave the store.
Burglary
Someone forced entry into a kitchen door and took a dining table and assorted crystal items. The thieves tried to take an antique chest but broke it while moving it. The theft on Windsor Pkwy. occurred while the victim was out of town.
Someone forced entry through an apartment front door and took cash, jewelry, DVD’s and crystal.
A man said that after he invited several friends to his home, his laptop was stolen.
A woman reported that someone took a purse with cash and credit cards inside. She suspects the chimney sweeps.
The victim said that before she left town, she notified the U.S. Post Office to stop the mail. Apparently they did not and continued to deliver. The victim said that some of her mail was opened. When leaving town, arrange for a neighbor to pick up the mail
Theft
A 75-year old woman said that on the 12th, while she was shopping at a grocery store, she was approached by a female who asked her help with information on a strawberry preservative. She said the woman spent about 20 minutes with her. Later, the victim found that her wallet was missing from her purse. The victim did not have any credit cards but did lose her driver’s license in the theft. (This is a re-occurring theft that targets seniors shopping in grocery stores. The two locations they most often hit are Kroger stores at 4920 Roswell Road and 227 Sandy Springs Place at City Walk.
A woman said that she was showing property to a man who was interested in purchasing it. During that time, he expressed interest in a car she owned. She and the man agreed on the sale of the car. She had to leave town. When she returned, the car was gone. She contacted the man who told her that he had the car and would bring her a check for $7,995. He did give her a check which, she found out, was worthless because it was drawn on a closed account. The man was again contacted and tells her he’ll bring the money but so far he has not.
A man said that he allowed a contractor to use a ladder and some tools while working on his home. The contractor took the tools with him after the job was finished. The contractor was called by the victim and said that he would return the items but did not. The report said the contractor’s name is Charles Sherrell, age 35, who lives on Shirley Street in SW Atlanta. I don’t think I’d hire this guy right now.
Assault A woman said that her boss pushed her forehead with his finger, causing her to back into some boxes, during an argument. He was later charged with Simple Battery.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By David
April 16, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
I think that people who prey on old folks and children should receive some good old midevial punishment like having a body part cut off. Peolple like that are lower than whale doo-doo!
By One
April 16, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
As for the “pigeon-drop” scam….who in h3ll would be stupid enough to fall for this?!! First off, this is why they target elderly people. We need to teach our seniors not to believe anyone about anything…..if they don’t know a person, don’t engage in any type of “help” with them. Further more, if someone actually found money, do you think they would be asking for your help on what to do with it? H3ll no, they would already know to keep it themselves.
As for the traffic incident…..unless someone damages your car in an accident, I suggest you go about your business. Don’t try to “follow” someone for any reason. If you can’t get their tag # while driving along, then LET IT GO!!!! It could save your life.
By Greghard
April 16, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Like my Daddy always used to say: “Son, just remember, people are no damn good!”
By Amazed
April 17, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
if you’ve lived to be 67 you should have figrued out NOT TO CARRY 4,000 with you…. JEEZ PEOPLE… come on.