Woman charged in scamming elderly
Published 12:00 am Friday, August 17, 2001
A Natchez resident was charged Wednesday with three counts of stealing from senior citizens, though more charges are possible, police said.
Carolyn D. Clark, 22, of 106 Burkhart St., was charged with one count of grand larceny and two counts of petit larceny for allegedly stealing money and other items from residences after entering under false pretenses.
&uot;What she was doing was … she was going up to elderly people’s houses and requesting a drink of water or to be allowed to use the phone or to use the bathroom,&uot; said Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff.
In one case, she told a woman she represented a senior citizen’s program offering housekeeping services, Huff said.
Once she entered the house, she would then steal small amounts of money from purses or other small items from the house, Huff said.
&uot;The people didn’t realize that anything was gone until after she was gone,&uot; Huff said.
Police were able to arrest Clark based on her description and the description of her vehicle provided by the victims who later identified her as the suspect, Huff said.
The three charges against Clark stem from incidences that took place in the last five weeks including the most recent, which took place Tuesday on Hurricane&160;Road.
Police suspect Clark may have tried the same method at other residences and hope that other victims will come forward.
&uot;What we’re asking for is for anyone who might have been victimized by her to report it to us so we can be aware of it,&uot; Huff said.
They are asked to call the Natchez Police Department at 445-5565. Clark was being held at the Natchez City Jail without bond Thursday.