Westlake Woman Falls Victim to $6,000 Scam

WESTLAKE, OH - Scam artists frequently use the same tactics over and over. One of the more common ploys is convincing older people that their relatives have been imprison in a foreign country and require bailout in the form of gift cards. A Westlake woman fell victim to that scam last week. Read on for more details.

Theft, Jan. 15 - Police are looking for a 24-year-old Cleveland man who skipped out on part of a hotel bill. The man rented three rooms for a five day stay and then failed to pay $1,309. A felony theft warrant has been issued for him.

Menacing, Jan. 20 - A Brockway Drive woman overheard her son talking to his weed dealer and hear the drug dealer threaten to hurt the son's relatives or destroy his property. The prosecutor will consider a possible menacing charge.

Theft, Jan. 20 - Two people dined and dashed from a Crocker Park Boulevard restaurant. Their bill was $78.

Obstruction, Jan. 21 - A 15-year-old Rose Road girl ran away from home on Jan. 21. She was at a friend's house on Center Ridge Road. However, while looking for the girl police found that she had been in contact with a 22-year-old North Olmsted man. When police contacted the man he gave a false name, but his real name was quickly unearthed. He was arrested for Obstruction and is currently on probation for Gross Sexual Imposition and Attempted Trafficking. The girl and the man have only been in contact digitally.

Fraud, Jan. 20 - Someone used a Westford Court woman's debit card six times between Jan. 17 and Jan. 20. They racked up $1,200 in charges.

OVI, Jan. 22 - Police arrested a 37-year-old North Ridgeville man for driving intoxicated. The man peeled his tires out in front of a cruiser. He refused a breath test and field sobriety tests. He has five prior convictions for OVI. He was taken to jail.

Fraud, Jan. 20 - Someone used a Hall Drive man's identity to open a checking account. The bank closed the account.

Fraud, Jan. 23 - An 84-year-old Bradley Road woman was the victim of a phone scam. The woman was told her grandchild was in jail and needed bail. The caller was from Montreal and told the woman her relatives were in jail in Mexico. The woman bought $6,000 worth of gift cards gave the PINs to the caller.

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