Scam Artists Already Running Cons After Storm
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Better Business Bureau is urging residents needing repairs after Monday’s storms to check out the companies offering to complete the work before paying them for the service.
The BBB said they have an online feature where people can find reputable companies.
Roofers must have a license from the Labor, Licensing and Regulation Department and, in Greenville County, a permit from the Sheriff’s Office, the BBB said.
The agency said a tree company needs to have general liability insurance and workers compensation, but they do not have to be licensed.
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The BBB recommended people never pay more than a third of the total cost up front, because they can risk the contractor never coming back or not finishing the job. They also said people should never pay in cash, so that there is a written record of the transaction.
Indeed, if a contractor comes to you asking for cash be careful. The oldest scam in the book is to take the advance and move on. Be careful out there.
Gas Thieves Drilling Holes in Tanks of Parked Vehicles in York County
Gas prices are going up but I suspect there is some other motive for the damaging of these vehicles. Maybe there’s some hippies out there looking to destroy those evil SUVs?
From WBTV:
FORT MILL, SC (WBTV) – Police are looking for thieves who are stealing gasoline by drilling holes into gas tanks of parked vehicles.
The York County Sheriff’s Office says there have been five incidents reported in the Baxter Village and Bailiwyck areas of Fort Mill.
The thefts are taking place at night. Some of the victims did not realize that someone had drilled into their gas tanks until the vehicle was at a repair shop.
The incidents have occurred on Camber Woods Drive, Jones Wade Court, Stafford Run Drive, Lower Assembly Drive, and Glenn Allen Way.
Peter Dressel told police between 4 p.m. on Jan. 21 and 10 a.m. on Jan. 22, someone went underneath his gray 2006 Ford F-150 and drilled a hole in the tank. The estimated damage to his truck was about $1,400. The thief stole a half tank of gas valued between $42-$48.
Between Jan. 21 and Jan. 23, someone did the same thing to Ron Pulis’ 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 truck. Pulis said it cost him $950 to repair the truck.
On Feb. 13, Kevin Knape reported that someone punched a hole into the tank of his 2005 Ford F-150.
Kathy Tuttle called police on Feb. 14 and reported that as she was filling up her truck at the gas station, she noticed gas was running out from under the vehicle. She took the truck to a repair shop and they advised that it appeared someone drilled a hole in the tank.
Most of the vehicles targeted have been pickup trucks, but James Walters’ 2010 gray Honda Civic was also targeted.
I’m a little suspicious that most of the trucks were pick-ups. Anyway keep your eyes on your cars because this could become a trend.
Robert H. Charping Refusing Extradition to Georgia on Oil Rustling Charges
I’d refuse too, you never know when a lynch mob might form, pard. But he’s just delaying the inevitable:
A Greer, S.C., man accused in Hall County of stealing motor oil refused extradition this week, as investigators in three states continue scrutinizing similar thefts at car dealerships and auto shops dating back at least a year.
Robert H. Charping, 50, is in custody at Greenville County Detention Center in Greenville, S.C., where officials await legal paperwork ordering his release to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
He has been charged here with two felony counts of theft by taking for separate Sept. 2 incidents on Browns Bridge Road. And deputies have surveillance footage to support their case, said Capt. Woodrow Tripp, who supervises the criminal investigations division.
“Clearly, the video puts (him) right there,” Tripp said.
A witness foiled what may have been Charping’s second stop at the Milton Martin Honda dealership on Jan. 21, Tripp said, with a 911 call about a suspicious tanker.It was the second unusual call from the business in less than five months.
Milton Martin’s parts manager told police Sept. 2 that used and new motor oil housed in holding tanks behind the business had been stolen, according to the incident report.
The witness, a delivery person, knew similar crimes happened elsewhere. So he called police after spotting the tanker early on the morning of Jan. 21.
Looks like they got you dead to rights Charping. You’re gonna’ hang for this! And a no good, yellow belly oil rustler deserves no better if yer askin’.
Woman Sought in Local Serial Forgery Case
From Jailbirds Online:
An unknown white female cashed two stolen checks at the Greer branch of the Palmetto Bank. The two checks were cashed on January 8, 2011. The white female is driving a black in color Chevrolet SUV with a paper tag. The two stolen checks were from two auto breakings. One of the auto breakings occurred at a private residence in Anderson, SC and the second auto breaking was at the Eastside YMCA in Greenville SC. The unknown female has cashed other stolen checks in Simpsonville, Mauldin, Spartanburg City, Greenville City, and Greenville County. Anyone with any information as to the identity of the female should contact Sgt. Patrick Fortenberry at (864) 848-5353.
Jailbirds has a photo of the woman so you can check it out.
Police Need Help Finding Black Friday Credit Card Bandit
From Fox Carolina:
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Greenville police said they are on the lookout for a man who went into the employees-only area of a store and stole a woman’s wallet on Black Friday.
The theft happened at the Pier One Imports store on Haywood Road. Sarah French reported her wallet full of credit cards and Social Security information was stolen, police said.
Police said the thief went on a $2,200 shopping spree throughout several stores on Haywood Road, including Toys ‘R’ Us, Sears and Radio Shack inside the Haywood Mall.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Greenville County Crime Stoppers at 23-CRIME
Video at the link has several images of this thief. Check it out and see if you know the guy.