1st Responder Impersonation Scam Caught-in-the-Act Downtown
October 11th, 2019 by
According to Monticello Police Chief Jason Akers, a Little Rock man is facing 60 counts of Theft By Deception and a single count of Obstructing Government Operations after Officers arrested him Wednesday.
Lareco Walker, 26, was arrested by Officers after being confronted by law enforcement and local fire personnel concerning the legitimacy of his fund raising activities. Walker, wearing an East Pulaski County Fire Department uniform, was soliciting donations from citizens and businesses in Monticello for a raffle contest. East Pulaski Fire Department was contacted and denied authorizing any of Walkers “fundraising” efforts.
Some victims were told the money was being raised for burn victims, some were told it was being raised for needy children, some were told it was to help offset costs for a fire truck. Some victims were told that the items would be raffled off late Wednesday at a local business.
Officers recovered sixty ticket stubs with names and phone numbers of people who had donated to the “raffle”.
Walker was taken before District Judge Bruce Anderson on Thursday where he received a bond in the amount of $7,500 in the presence of the Monticello Police and Fire Chiefs.
Chief Akers would ask that citizens not be afraid to ask questions when approached about making donations as criminals and scam artist often use tragedy for personal gain. If the organization or cause is legitimate, questions about the activity shouldn’t offend the person asking for the donation. If you aren’t familiar with the organization or the cause, or have suspicions that the person or persons soliciting donations may not be legitimate, contact the Monticello Police Department. We will be glad to check it out. We are here to protect the public from situations such as this.
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