Whittier police Thursday sought public help to identify two men who scammed an “elderly” man out of $9,000.
The crime happened about noon on Jan. 13, Whittier police Officer John Scoggins said.
“The suspect knocked on the victim’s door claiming to be a paint-less dent removal service,” Scoggins said. “After pretending to do some work on the victim’s car, the suspect and his … partner charged the victim $9,000 for their `services.’
“Feeling intimidated, the victim — who is elderly — reluctantly drove with the suspects to a local bank and cashed a personal check,” Scoggins said. “The suspects drove the victim back home, kept the money, and left without having completed any work on the victim’s car.”
Police did not provide the exact age of the victim. They circulated a security photo of the man who accompanied the victim into the bank. He was described as Hispanic, about 45 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 170 pounds. His partner was described as an Hispanic man, 25-30 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build. They drove off in a white van.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Detective Allen Lemus at (562) 567-9290, or the police department’s Crime Tipline at (562) 567- 9299.
–City News Service