Three men sought in scams
By Gary Popp
Published in News on April 22, 2011 1:46 PM
Warrants have been issued by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for three men believed to have been involved a vinyl siding scam.
A videotape of the men at the home of an 86-year-old woman has been circulating and lawmen said Thursday that Jimmy Gerald Riley, 53, Michael Joseph O'Hara, 33, and Tommy Joseph Mack, 24, of South Carolina are the perpetrators.
According to authorities, all three subjects are associates with an Irish Travelers Community (a group of alleged con artists) located in Aiken, S.C.
The men are wanted for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods.
The men allegedly pretended to be selling vinyl flooring when they arrived at the woman's home. During the fraudulent sales presentation, one of the men searched the woman's home and stole a large amount of cash.
Sheriff Carey Winders has urged county residents to wary of door-to-door solicitors.
"I would like to caution the public that it is a commonly used practice to attempt to distract a person so that another person can steal or search for something to steal," Winders said. "Be cautious of anyone coming to your residence, especially selling something that is not usually sold door-to-door."
Winders said that some home solicitors are legitimate, but he said residents should not hesitate to call law enforcement if anything looks suspicious or out of the ordinary.
Anyone who has any information about the suspects' whereabouts is asked to call Det. Sgt. Rick Farfour at 731-1497, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 731-1481 or Crime Stoppers at 735-2255. Calls to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and rewards may be offered for information leading to a conviction.