Two New York City men and a Georgia man are accused of trying to scam three grandparents in the area out of $33,000 this week in two separate incidents in which the suspects claimed a family member had been arrested, authorities said.
Jean Carlos Mendoza, 23, of Brooklyn, and Jason Alvarez, 31, of Queens, are accused of trying to get $18,000 from a North Huntingdon couple on May 29 by telling them that Greensburg police arrested their grandson on drug charges and he needed the money before a 4 p.m. court hearing so he could be released from jail, according to the criminal complaint filed by North Huntingdon police.
The two New York City men, apparently basing their scam on the location of New York City police stations in precincts, told the North Huntingdon couple that their grandson was being held in the “7th precinct” station in Greensburg, according to the criminal complaint. Greensburg police informed them the city does not have multiple police stations. They learned their grandson was fine and they contacted North Huntingdon police regarding the scam.
The two men allegedly went to the North Huntingdon couple’s resident at about 3 p.m. and were confronted by the grandfather, who was armed with a handgun, according to court papers. Police blocked the suspects’ Mercedes that was parked in the driveway. Mendoza allegedly gave police a false name, said he was looking for a friend, then changed the story to looking for a woman.
The pair were arraigned before North Huntingdon District Judge Henry Moore on charges of criminal attempt of theft by deception and defiant trespassing. Moore said the pair were a flight risk and they were placed in the Westmoreland Count Prison without any bond set. Preliminary hearings for the two are set for June 7.
On Thursday, state police thwarted a scam after learning that a caller claimed a Salem woman’s grandson needed $15,000 for bail money, according to court papers.
During several exchanges between the caller and the woman, it was decided that the caller would visit her home at 2:45 p.m. to pick up the cash, police said. She was instructed to walk outside and troopers pulled over a black BMW sedan that was close by.
The driver, identified by authorities as Aaron L. Watson, 28, of Georgia, had multiple identification cards and a key card for the Days Inn Wyndham in Harmar, according to court papers. Troopers said they seized from the car several thousand dollars, a laptop and a notepad bearing names and payment amounts.
Watson was denied bail and was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. He’s charged with two counts of attempted theft. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A preliminary hearing is set for June 10.
The Federal Trade Commission warns people to be vigilant against this type of family emergency scam, which can come in various forms and prey on the elderly. The commission warns to not give personal information or hand over cash, gift cards or wire money. Instead, hang up and check with family members to see whether the story is accurate.
