Law enforcement officials in Elmore City, and possibly all of Garvin County and beyond, are on high alert after a scam successfully targeted a senior citizen there.
Posing as workers with a utility company, two male subjects used their phony story to steal around $200 from the Elmore City woman earlier this week.
This single incident now has authorities wanting to not only catch the thieves but also get the word of caution out to the public so other seniors won’t fall victim to similar scams in the future.
“This is a scam that preys on the elderly,” Elmore City Police Chief Tony Johnston said.
According to Johnston, the incident took place Monday when one of the two subjects approached the Elmore City residence while the other remained outside.
In this particular instance the subject’s selling point was convincing the senior citizen that he could help her get the grant funds to pay for some home renovations.
“He told her that government money was available to upgrade her heating and air conditioning system,” Johnston said.
“He then wanted to take some measurements. While measuring around in the house he took the money from her purse.”
At one point during the exchange the resident apparently became suspicious when the male subject started asking questions about her Social Security payments and how she received them.
“She got a little suspicious at that point, but it was too late by then,” Johnston said about the stolen money.
The only description of the two subjects is they were white males.
Authorities do know the suspects were driving a black sports car when they left the Elmore City area.
Once the incident was reported a statewide “Be On The Lookout” alert was issued statewide by local police.
“This is a top priority for us,” Johnston said, referring to locating and arresting the two suspects responsible for this tricky theft.
The incident also made Johnston realize senior citizens in the general area likely needed a warning or at least a refresher course in avoiding this type of scam.
With that in mind, the police chief will give a talk during a weekly gospel singing today at Elmore City’s senior center.
“I’m going to give a presentation on what happened and what steps they can take to avoid this type of thing for them and their loved ones,” he said.
“The first thing is I suggest they not let them in their house.”
Area senior citizens warned of scam
- By Barry Porterfield
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Obituaries
Claudia Brown was born to Clifton and Glee Ford Tomberlin in Crescent, Okla., on April 4, 1938 and passed from this life on Friday, January 15, 2021 at the age of 82 years.
James Thomas Whitaker passed peacefully on January 23, 2021 at the age of 73.
Lenore Rebekah Sherrod, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and retired postmaster whose smile brightened everyone’s life, died Jan. 23, 2021 at her home in Norman. She was 95.
Jimmie Jarman was born January 17, 1939 in Sulphur, Oklahoma to Charlie Vernon Jarman and Bobbie (Johnston) Jarman. He was raised in Garvin County and lived most of his life in the Pauls Valley area. He attended Pauls Valley schools and is a graduate of the Pauls Valley High School.
Larry Michael “Mac” McElroy, 77, passed away at home after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He was born in Norman, Okla., on November 25, 1943 to Franklin D. “Pete” McElroy and Lucy Ellen Roberts McElroy.
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