LAKEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) — A Bellflower man has been arrested for allegedly posing as an LAPD detective to steal cash from Spanish-speaking handymen staff who had been in search of jobs.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division officers say Alejandro Martin, 56, would scroll by advertisements within the Spanish-language periodical referred to as El Clasificado seeking his victims. He would contact handymen and rent them to do jobs round his house in Bellflower.
His alleged ruse was this: He would inform the handymen that he is an LAPD detective with entry to confiscated autos. He would provide the handymen a deal to buy these automobiles, and as soon as the victims agreed, he would take their cash and lower off communication.
“The suspect would not present the car, would not return any of the cash, and the victims don’t have any different recourse aside from to name the police and file a grievance concerning the incident,” mentioned Detective Cesar Gallegos, who specified that the crimes related to Martin span from June to October.
That is Martin’s third arrest in lower than 10 years for allegedly committing one of these crime, authorities mentioned.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva mentioned Martin knew precisely who he was concentrating on.
“By concentrating on ‘Clasificado,’ he knew he was going to get people who find themselves predominantly Spanish talking, who is probably not right here legally or their immigration standing is up within the air. So he is already approaching people who find themselves susceptible simply by their standing,” Villanueva mentioned throughout a Tuesday morning press convention.
Authorities say Martin has stolen a complete of round $100,000 from his victims to this point. Eight victims have stepped ahead, however sheriff’s investigators consider there are extra victims on the market.
Martin was arrested final Wednesday at his house in Bellflower. He stays in custody with bail set at $470,000.
If you happen to consider you had been a sufferer or know somebody who was a sufferer, you are urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division.
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