What:
News Conference

When:
Thursday, August 12, 2004, at 11:30 a.m.

Where:
Foothill Area Police Station, 12760 Osborne Avenue, Pacoima

Los Angeles: Foothill Area has experienced a series of reported thefts by trick in the last eight months. The suspects are mainly Hispanic males in their 40’s to early 60’s and targeting Hispanic victims in their late 60’s.

These cases usually include the same method of operation where the suspects convince the victims that they are in need of money for their injured child. The suspects will offer the unsuspecting victims items such as a fake diamond, a fake gold bar, or even a fake lotto ticket at a price that is far below the regular market value.

The victims have unwisely placed the suspects in their vehicles, transported them to their banks and pulled out thousand of dollars, believing that they were helping the suspect and purchasing a genuine item.

In one of the cases two suspects were photographed and the photographs will be available at the news conference.

Anyone with any information that would assist in the arrest of these suspects is asked to contact Foothill Area Detectives, at 818-834-3115. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.