Law-enforcement imposters sought after 3 incidents

2/18/2006

Toledo police are investigating three incidents yesterday in which people portrayed themselves as law-enforcement personnel.

A well-dressed woman approached an elderly Point Place woman about 9:30 a.m. as she pulled into her home on 283rd Street.

The woman flashed a badge. She then said that she was a detective and that she was looking for a man who had stolen money and had used the victim's address.

The victim allowed the woman inside, and the suspect followed her from room to room. The woman's partner - a man in dark business clothes, a hat, and a three-quarter-length leather coat - asked where the victim kept her money.

About 3 p.m., a well-dressed black man entered a Campbell Street office and said that he was an FBI agent.

He fled in a van when employees asked questions about why he was there.

In the third incident, a well-dressed couple in a dark, beat-up, older model Chevrolet approached a 67-year-old Wendover Drive man as he pulled into his home between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

They said they were detectives, and the victim allowed them inside his home.

The man showed the victim a picture of a white male and said that the couple had been watching the house for weeks looking for him.

He asked the victim how much money he kept in the house, questions about the property, and whether there were any safes.

Nothing was taken in the incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stopper program at 419-255-1111.

Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.