Camillus PD is investigating a possible attempt to defraud elderly people. We have had a few incidents that we are aware of at the Camillus Walmart. The gentleman in the photos attached approaches elderly shoppers and engages in dialogue with them about knowing them from somewhere and being friends with their children. He then asks where they live and then responds with, “Oh you're still up there?, I live right down the road" or something similar to that. After a short time of rapport building, the male asks for $60 dollars so he can have his car towed home and states that he will stop by their house to pay them back. After the cash is handed over, the male leaves with no further conversation. At this time, the elderly victims think something is suspicious and contact their children who do not know this man. The male never returns with the repayment.
These complaints go back as far as possibly December that we are aware of. We feel that there are far more victims than we know about. The male is described being a white male, roughly 5’10 to 6’00 ft. tall and weighing approximately 245 pounds. He has black and grey hair which could possibly be a toupee and he walked with a limp. Through Walmart CCTV we learned that he was driven to Walmart in a Green Ford Taurus, possibly early 2000’s model, driven by a female. She is described as also being white, 5’5 tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds. She has black hair and appears to be in her late thirties to early forties.
Attached are 2 photos of the male. We do not have video available. We have just identified the male but are looking for additional victims. If you have any information or have been a victim of this scam, please contact the Camillus Police Department, Criminal Investigation Section 315-487-0102.
