Darleene Barrientos
Glendale Police are searching for scam artists preying on elderly
residents in two separate cons.
A 76-year-old Glendale woman told police last week that $4,900 of
her money was stolen by a man named Johnston who called her and told
her he needed her help in investigating fraud at City National Bank,
where she has an account.
The man instructed the woman on Tuesday to withdraw the money from
her account and drive to the east side of Sears, at 236 N. Central
Ave., where a security guard named Sloan would be waiting for her.
The woman agreed and met Sloan, who later called and told her he
would meet her at her bank branch to open a new account for her,
police said. The woman went to her branch, but did not see Johnston
or Sloan; and bank employees did not know either of those men, police
said.
The woman described Sloan as being a white man about 45 to 50,
with a medium build and short black or dark brown hair. Sloan was
clean shaven, and wore a two-piece suit, a white shirt and a tie.
A different case occurred in the 1400 block of Irving Avenue. An
89-year-old Glendale woman told police a man came to her door a week
ago and said he was there to collect her Glendale Water and Power
bill. The woman told the man she had no money and added that her son
takes care of her bills, police said. The man left on foot, according
to the report.
The suspected swindler was described as being a white man in his
early 30s, standing about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall.
The man had a medium build, short dark blond hair and wore a light
green, short sleeved, button-down work shirt.
Glendale Water and Power does not send workers to collect utility
bills.
"These type of scams have a tendency to prey on the elderly
because they are more trusting," Glendale Police spokesman Lt. Kirk
Palmer said. "Anytime anybody comes up and asks you to withdraw money
or that they are going to collect money for some type of service,
that's a red flag. That's a concern."
Anyone who believes they might have been a victim or has any
information about either of these incidents can call Glendale Police
at 548-4840. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at
507-7867.
