Public Safety: Couple pose as police to scam elderly
The St. Paul Police received two reports on Friday, Oct. 7, of a male and female team impersonating police officers to defraud elderly citizens.
The first incident occurred at 9:30 a.m. near Race and Albion streets on the border of the Highland Park and West Seventh neighborhoods, and the second at 12:15 p.m. near Albert Street and Blair Avenue in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood.
In both incidents the suspects showed the victims silver badges and a “Wanted” flier. In the first incident, the suspects accosted a 79-year-old man in his car and told him they believed his vehicle had been used in a robbery. After a brief conversation the suspects left and there was no loss.
In the second incident, the suspects approached an 86-year-old man on his front porch and demanded to see all the money in the house to check if it was stolen. The victim allowed the suspects in and he and his 77-year-old wife showed the suspects the money they had in the house. The suspects left with the money.
The first suspect was described as a dark complexioned, black male in his late 20s or early 30s, about 6 feet tall, 180 to 200 pounds, wearing a black suit and a black Stetson hat. He had a large gold ring on his middle finger and a gold watch or bracelet on the same hand. During the second incident the male suspect was wearing a long, black trench coat.
The second suspect was described as a medium- to dark-complexioned black female, about 30 years old; 5 foot, 7 inches; and medium build. The female had long, straight, dark brown hair and wore a shiny, waist-length leather jacket.
The suspects were seen driving a newer model, dark gray, two-door car.
Citizens should be aware that it is acceptable to ask plain clothes officers for picture identification, particularly if they are asking to enter your home or making requests that you would not grant to some other person. If the actions of someone claiming to be a plain clothes police officer become suspicious or they make an unreasonable request, citizens may call their local police department to verify the officer’s status.
If you have any information about these crimes or can identify the suspects, please call the St. Paul Police Department, (651) 291-1111.
