Suspect identified in phony cop scam
A suspected thief has been identified in a scam that involved a bogus police officer who falsely told a Monroe County woman that her grandson needed bail money.
Monroe County Prosecutor Jeffery Yorkey authorized an arrest warrant charging Juan Romero of Berwyn, Illinois, with false pretenses $1,000 to $20,000, and embezzlement from a vulnerable adult $1,000 to $20,000, the sheriff's office reported Tuesday.
Romero remains at large.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported the fraud incident occurred on Oct. 17 in Summerfield Township. The elderly resident was contacted via telephone by a person who identified himself as a member of the Dundee Police Department.
The person told the victim her grandson was involved in a fatal traffic crash, had been arrested and needed bail money. Confused by the situation, the victim went to the bank and withdrew money to bail her grandson out of jail.
The suspect later arrived at the victim’s residence and collected the so-called “bail money.” The suspect’s image was captured on a doorbell camera.
Detective Robert Blair, with assistance from the public, was able to identify the suspect.
Anyone with additional information on the case or the whereabouts of Romero is asked to contact Blair at 734-240-7274.
Anonymous tips can be called to Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAKUP (800-773-2587) or can be submitted on their website, www.1800speakup.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Suspect identified in Monroe County phony cop scam
