An 81-year-old Twin Peaks man fell victim to a scam involving reported winning of $2 million and a new Mercedes Benz in the Australian Lottery. Two arrests have been made thanks to alert neighbors. (File Photo)
By G.T. Houts
Twin Peaks CA – An 81-year-old mountain resident found out the hard way that you can’t win $2 million and a new Mercedes Benz in the Australian Lottery. . .if you don’t buy a ticket!
Larry Travis (Booking Photo)
The Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station reports that on Wednesday, March 18, at approximately 1 p.m., the man was contacted by telephone and congratulated on being the winner of the Australian Lottery.
Over the phone, the subject explained to the victim he won the $2 million in cash and the new luxury car. The vehicle was to be delivered to the victim’s Twin Peaks residence that day; however, he had to pay $1,000 cash as a delivery fee.
The unidentified victim agreed to the fee and was told he would be contacted by someone who would deliver the vehicle and collect the money.
MONEY COLLECTION
At approximately 2:37 p.m. the same day, according to deputies, two individuals — identified as Larry Travis and LeShay Williams — arrived at the man’s residence to collect the money.
A media release from the Sheriff’s Department reports that the victim gave $300 cash to Travis because he had not gone to the bank and it was all he had at the time. Travis reportedly took the money, but did not deliver the vehicle.
LeShay Williams (Booking Photo)
The person on the telephone talking with the victim indicated the vehicle was 15 minutes behind Travis on a tow truck and would be delivered shortly.
Deputies report Travis then left the scene, but the vehicle was never delivered.
CONCERNED NEIGHBORS
Concerned neighbors of the 81-year-old man wrote down the license plate number of the vehicle Travis and Williams were in and contacted the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station.
Neighbors were also able to give deputies a description of the vehicle and the suspects.
CASE DETAILS
The vehicle and Williams were located in Redlands, where the vehicle was registered.
Through further investigation, deputies were able to track down Travis the following day in San Bernardino.
Williams was arrested on March 18 and released from custody on March 19. Travis was arrested on March 19 and released on March 23. Both were booked for violation of Penal Code 182, Conspiracy to commit a crime, Penal Code 484, theft by fraud and Penal Code 368, Elder Abuse.
COURT PROCEEDINGS
On March 23, Travis entered a not guilty plea to all charges in Superior Court before Judge Ronald J. Gilbert. The court appointed the public defender to handle Travis’ case, set a pre-trial hearing for March 30 at 8:30 a.m. in Department S7-J and, released Travis on his own recognizance.
No court hearings have been scheduled for Williams.
ADDITIONAL VICTIMS SOUGHT
It is alleged that the two suspects were involved with an international ring of scammers who prey on the elderly.
Deputies also believe Travis and Williams may have victimized others with the same type of scam.
If you have further information on the case or have been victimized by these two, you are encourage to call the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station at (909) 336-0600 to report it. (243)