January 28, 2003

Galveston Police Department

The Galveston Police Department on Tuesday issued an alert about "a scam being perpetrated on local residents whereby the suspect(s) are posing as utility company employees."

"On Wednesday, January 22, 2003, a white male knocked on the door of an elderly island resident and claimed to be an employee of the electric company investigating a power outage," said Lieutenant Matt Stanich.  "The suspect advised the elderly resident that his electrical system needed to be replaced and estimated the repair costs at almost $9,000" 
 
The suspect convinced the elderly resident to issue him a check for the estimate and stated he would return later that day to deliver and install the new components.  However, Stanich said the suspect went straight to the victim's bank, cashed the check, "and of course, never returned to complete the work." 

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately  five feet nine inches tall, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes, between 43-45 years of age. 

Anyone with information about this case or other similar instances of fraud is asked to call Detective Sergeant Jeff Heyse at (409) 797-3756.

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