Police warn of scam artists in south Whitley

Law enforcement agencies are warning the public to be on the lookout for scam artists, who so far have been targeting elderly people in southern Whitley County.

Constable Jim Thornton said police are looking for three men with medium builds, who are believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, and driving either a small black car of a small pick-up truck.

On April 6, Thornton said the thieves took about $2,000 worth of items from residents of a Buck Creek home.
He said the thieves came to the door with a piece of linoleum and offered to sell it to the residents for a price that was too good to turn down.

The men took the linoleum to the kitchen, and while some of them had the owners distracted, another searched through the house taking things of value, Thornton said.

He said authorities believe the men may have struck another home late last week and tried to strike a third one.
At a home on Harp’s Creek, thieves allegedly stole money and drugs from an elderly man, Thornton said noting that case is still under investigation by Kentucky State Police.

In another case, police believe would-be thieves tried to strike another resident, but were thwarted when he wouldn’t let them inside and came to the door with a gun in hand, Thornton said.

Thornton said he has heard rumors about possible other thefts or theft attempts that so far he hasn’t had time to investigate.

Thornton warned that people, should be cautious about who they let inside their homes, and that con artists particularly like to target older residents.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Whitley County 911 Dispatch Center’s non-emergency number, 549-6017.