Two Arrested in “Grandparent Scam” in Rhode Island — Police Warning Other Potential Victims
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Warwick Police have announced the arrest of two men in connection with a "grandparent scam."
The suspects, who are from Florida and New York, are alleged to have targeted elderly individuals in Warwick; they reportedly also operated the scam in Coventry.
Now, police are asking other people who believe they were victims of the scam to contact them
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About Incident
On Saturday, Warwick police announced the following:
"On March 7, 2024, a victim reported to the Warwick Police Department they were the victims of a scam.
Officer Chretien identified this scam as ongoing and brought Detectives in to assist. A plan was formulated to attempt a controlled delivery to the suspect on March 8, 2024, at the victim’s residence.
On the morning of March 8, 2024, members of the Warwick Police Department’s Night Detectives, Special Operations Group, Financial Crimes, and Criminal Investigations units began working with the victims to ensure the suspect was still planning on receiving the victim’s money.
At around 2 PM, Detectives inside the residence observed a subject walking up to the residence matching the description of a suspect from a similar scam that had just been reported in Coventry (Rhode Island).
After delivery was made, Detectives Arico and Sarkisian took the subject into custody after a brief foot pursuit. Detectives conducting surveillance apprehended the suspected getaway driver.
Both suspects were taken into custody for Obtaining Property Under False Pretenses in violation of RIGL 11-41-4 and Conspiracy-Felony in violation of RIGL 11-1-6."
Suspects and Charges
The suspects were identified as Jason Rhodes, 34 years old from Flushing, NY -- who was the suspect at the residence -- and Robert Munoz, 29 years old from Miami, FL -- who was the getaway driver, according to Warwick police.
As part of the investigation, a court-authorized search warrant for a Warwick hotel room registered in Munoz’s name was executed.
Detectives seized evidence connecting the suspects to other “grandparent scams” as well as a large sum of US currency. This remains an active investigation.
According to Warwick police, Detectives are looking at other evidence to try to locate other victims, as this scam is being reported throughout Rhode Island.
The Warwick Police Department is urging anyone who believes they may be the victim of this or a similar scam to contact their respective police department.
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