Lincoln police responded Monday to a reported fraud in progress involving an elderly couple who were allegedly targeted in a vehicle repair scheme.Investigators said the suspects worsened damage to the couple’s truck instead of fixing it. The vehicle had been spray-painted, and a suction cup and primer were used, causing additional damage, according to police. The suspects allegedly quoted the repair at $600, but the actual cost to fix the truck was $4,200.Officers conducted a probation search of the suspects’ vehicle and found $23,000 in cash. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of felony elder abuse, conspiracy and vandalism.“I think we’ve seen that our vulnerable communities have been targeted,” Capt. Zach Eaton with the Lincoln Police Department told KCRA.According to recent U.S. Census data, more than a quarter of Lincoln residents are 65 or older, making them potential targets.Local automotive shops say they have heard about similar scams and are urging customers to be cautious about who they allow to work on their vehicles.“We love our elderly community here at Duncan’s,” Jenell Stuebing at Duncan’s Automotive said. “We really pride ourselves on being able to help them out. I’ve seen a big influx as well of a lot of mobile mechanics who will come to your residence, do work, and we find that we’re having to repair work that was previously done on top of additional work that may have been missed.”Police believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone who suspects they were targeted to call the department’s non-emergency line at 916-645-4040.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Lincoln police responded Monday to a reported fraud in progress involving an elderly couple who were allegedly targeted in a vehicle repair scheme.
Investigators said the suspects worsened damage to the couple’s truck instead of fixing it. The vehicle had been spray-painted, and a suction cup and primer were used, causing additional damage, according to police. The suspects allegedly quoted the repair at $600, but the actual cost to fix the truck was $4,200.
Officers conducted a probation search of the suspects’ vehicle and found $23,000 in cash. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of felony elder abuse, conspiracy and vandalism.
“I think we’ve seen that our vulnerable communities have been targeted,” Capt. Zach Eaton with the Lincoln Police Department told KCRA.
According to recent U.S. Census data, more than a quarter of Lincoln residents are 65 or older, making them potential targets.
Local automotive shops say they have heard about similar scams and are urging customers to be cautious about who they allow to work on their vehicles.
“We love our elderly community here at Duncan’s,” Jenell Stuebing at Duncan’s Automotive said. “We really pride ourselves on being able to help them out. I’ve seen a big influx as well of a lot of mobile mechanics who will come to your residence, do work, and we find that we’re having to repair work that was previously done on top of additional work that may have been missed.”
Police believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone who suspects they were targeted to call the department’s non-emergency line at 916-645-4040.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Click Here For The Original Source.
