Posted at 6:21 p.m., Thursday, April 13, 2006
Big Island police warn of canine scam
Advertiser Staff
Police on the Big Island are warning residents about a scam in which people are claiming to seek donations in connection with a police dog the department recently acquired.Residents on the Big Island told police someone called them at home soliciting money for Tucker the bloodhound. Tucker joined the department on April 7 to help officers search for missing children and others in peril.
The police department is not soliciting funds for Tucker, the department said in a news release.
"It's unfortunate that there are people trying to illegally profit from something that is so positive for the community," said Captain Chad Fukui, commander of the East Hawai'i Criminal Investigations Division.
Police ask anyone with information about the scam to call Detective John Ancheta at (808) 961-2276. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or (808) 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
