Chattanooga Police responded to an elderly man's residence on Grove Street regarding a fraud complaint. Two male suspects, impersonating police officers, left with cash in hand.
Nathan Hartwig, Chattanooga Police Department said, "One of them showed him a badge, and I'm not sure what kind of badge it was, if it was actually a police badge or some sort of security badge, but they told the victim that they were investigating a fraud complaint involving him." The 84 year old victim allowed the impersonators, who called him by name, into his home. They told the victim to withdraw cash from his account, so they could trace it. Hartwig said, "The victim took one of the suspects to a local bank who withdrew some cash from his account, and gave it to the suspects, and the suspects fled the scene with the cash after they had gotten back to Grove Street."
Suspect 1 is considered to be a male, between the ages of 60 and 70 years old, five foot eleven inches with a medium build. Suspect 2 is a black male between the ages of 40 and 50 years old, six foot tall with a thin build. Chattanooga Police are working on putting together photos of the suspects. Hartwig said, "If someone approaches you that is in plain clothes, these gentleman were dressed in suits, looked professional, that doesn't mean they are police officers."
Officials say to always ask a police officer for his identification cards or speak with your local dispatcher to be certain they are authentic. Officials also state that their officers would not have an fraud victim withdraw cash for an investigation.
If anyone has any information regarding this crime, you are asked to call Chattanooga Police at 423-698-2525.
