Duo Caught Trying To Scam Elderly Massapequa Park Man: Police

MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY — Nassau County police arrested two people on Tuesday who they say were trying to scam an elderly man at out of thousands of dollars.

According to police, a man called the Seventh Precinct Tuesday and told officers he believed his father was in the middle of being scammed. The 89-year-old father was called by an unknown man who said his grandson was in jail and needed $8,500 for bail. An arrangement was made to pick up the cash at the man's home at an agreed upon time.

A police officer went to the man's home to wait with him, and other officers were also in the area near the home.

At 5:45 p.m., Marte Wander, 21, of Tiebout Avenue, the Bronx, and a 17-year-old girl arrived at the home, police said. The girl got out and went to the door, and took an envelope from the man that she believed contained the money, police said. She was then placed under arrest by the officer in the house. At the same time, detectives converged on the scene and arrested Wander.

Wander and the teen are both charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree attempted scheme to defraud. Wander was released on an appearance ticket. The teen is scheduled to be arraigned later today.