Exclusive: Elderly Woman Scammed Out Of $8,000, 2 Suspects Accused
By Walt Hunter
UPPER DARBY, Pa. (CBS) -- In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News, an 89-year-old woman tells the heartbreaking story of how she was scammed out of $8,000 cash by a pair of alleged conmen who, last November also scammed a 67-year-old woman out of $4,400.
The victim, who asked her identity be concealed, says she is speaking out hoping to prevent other elderly residents from becoming victims.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says one of the two suspects charged in the crime, Gary Williams, is now being held on $1 million dollars cash bail, while a second suspect, his cousin Norris Williams. is still being sought.
Police say the frightening ordeal for the elderly victim began inside an Upper Darby supermarket where one of the suspects approached, claiming he was hungry and needed food. Police say the victim was soon taken in her car by the suspect, and an accomplice who joined them, and driven to her bank.
There, police say, the pair conned the victim into removing $8,000 from her savings, telling her they had thousands she could donate to her church, but first she had to withdraw the cash as a sign of good faith.
The victim says she's glad she wasn't hurt, but she's sad because she hoped to give the money to her children and grandchildren to help them with college.
Upper Darby police are hoping the public can help in catching Norris Williams who is still on the run.
The pair, police say, is suspected of similar crimes in at least two other Delaware County communities.
