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Two Suspects Arrested for
Scams that Target Elderly Victims
April 25, 2008
Dear Community Members:
Two weeks ago, our Hollenbeck Detectives arrested two suspects who were scamming elderly Hispanic Victims by gaining their confidence, contriving a story and getting the victims to withdraw thousands of dollars of their savings from various banks.
Our detectives worked up a typical suspect profile, typical victim profile and typical location profile. They worked it under cover and made two arrests. The victim, an elderly female Hispanic was in the process of withdrawing 16,000 dollars from her bank.
Additionally, we've tied the two suspects to at least 3 more crimes in Hollenbeck and one in Lancaster that used a lotto ticket scam. In prior cases we have seen single victims lose as much as 50,000 dollars. This crime is not localized to Hollenbeck, but occurs all over the county and City.
Some of you may have seen the extensive media coverage we had from our press conference yesterday announcing the arrests. (Kcal9 has the story in their website)
I've included a copy of the press release for community education regarding the scams (below), but also to show case the good work done by your Hollenbeck Detectives.
If you are aware of anybody that has additional information please let us know.
Thanks
Blake
Captain Blake Chow
Commanding Officer
LAPD Hollenbeck Area
blake.chow@lapd.lacity.org
323 / 266-1318
Los Angeles Police Department
News Release
April 24, 2008
Two Suspects Arrested for Scams that Target Elderly Victims
Los Angeles: Two suspects have been arrested in an investigation by Los Angeles Police
Department (LAPD) Hollenbeck detectives of a group of South and Central American suspects
who attempt to scam elderly Hispanic victims.
By analyzing recent crime reports dealing with theft by trickery and similar operations,
detectives were able to identify the suspects' pattern of operations. The suspects were identified
as well dressed, Spanish-speaking and mostly from Colombia. They frequently staged their
operations on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and would drive victims to and from local
banks. Victims would then make withdrawals and give the cash to the suspects.
Hollenbeck detectives created a taskforce to address the crimes. The taskforce, which was
deployed in early April, utilized tactics that included static and roving surveillance concentrated
on suspicious activity at specific banks. Detectives also searched for likely victims at probable
locations.
An example of the suspects' mode of operations is as follows: Suspects approach potential
victims in a supermarket parking lot. One suspect'would offer to help a victim with groceries
while a second suspect asks for help locating a church to fulfill a grandparent's dying wish of
giving $30,000 to the church. The victim would then be offered $2;500 for providing help, but
wouldalsobe askedto put up goodfaithmoney.In this instance,the victimwas in the process of
obtaining $16,000 to give to the suspects when detectives intervened.
Linked to these crimes was a grand theft lotto scam out of Lancaster, Calif. On April 7, 2008,
detectives observed the operation through details in a television news segment on March 18,
2008. The segment, which featured video surveillance of the crime, revealed suspects who
appeared to match the ones in custody for the above mentioned scams. Subsequent investigation
confirmed that they were one in the sarpe.
The suspects have admitted to attempted grand theft in both Los Angeles and Lancaster. Their
confidence games include various street scams, along with posing as police personnel able to sell
vehicles from police impounds and possible involvement in more violent jewelry robberies.
The two suspects in custody are 40-year-old Jhon Gomez and 33-year-old Carlos Gonzales. A
third suspect, Hector Castillo, is still outstanding.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Hollenbeck detectives at (323) 526-3000.
After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour hotline at -877-LAWFUL
(1-877-529-3855).
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150 North Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
Office: (213) 485-3586
Fax: (213) 847-1760
Email: pio@lapd.lacity.org |
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