Posted on: Saturday, September 22, 2001

The September 11th attack
Two arrested in bogus relief drive

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two men were arrested and faced felony theft charges after they allegedly attempted to solicit donations for a bogus charity for World Trade Center victims.

One of the men called a College Walk bar on Wednesday and identified himself as a police officer. Police Det. Letha DeCaires said the caller asked for a cash donation to the World Trade Center Relief Fund.

The bar owner thought the call was for an off-duty detective in his establishment and handed the phone to the officer, DeCaires said. The detective had just been briefed on scams related to the World Trade Center tragedy and arranged for a meeting with the caller, according to DeCaires.

A second man, 31, went to the bar Thursday and was arrested after accepting money from the officer, DeCaires said. She said the other man, identified as the telephone solicitor, was arrested Thursday.

Both men were released pending investigation.

DeCaires cautioned residents to be on the lookout for similar attempts to take advantage of the tragedy in New York.

Anyone receiving similar solicitations is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.