Man Steals Woman's Cash After Praying Over It for Good Fortune
Fredericksburg police are investigating a fraud report that involved a bizarre prayer and theft from a man in a parade hat.
Police: Moped Stolen from Front Porch
The Fredericksburg Police Department Citizens Police Academy begins Feb. 23 and runs until April 19.
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At first, it seemed like a harmless offer: Let me pray over your cash and it will bring you good fortune.
But for a local woman who was in the parking lot of Lowe's on July 2, her good fortune never came and she was left with an envelope filled with pieces of paper.
Fredericksburg Police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said the victim reported the incident to police on Wednesday, nine days after it happened in the parking lot of Lowe's, at 1361 Carl D Silver Parkway. Bledsoe said a black man with a heavy accent asked her if she knew about locations of churches in the area. He then asked her if he could hold any cash she had so that he could pray over it to bring her good fortune, Bledsoe said.
"The victim handed the suspect a quantity of cash," Bledsoe said. "After the suspect gave the envelope of money back to the victim and left the scene, the victim discovered that the currency in the envelope had been replaced by pieces of paper."
The suspect is about 6-feet tall and 200 pounds. He was wearing a "parade cap."
The following crimes are in the Thursday police log:
Larceny:
A resident reported that the battery was stolen from his scooter sometime between 4:20 p.m. Wednesday and Tuesday in the 400 block of Princess Elizabeth Street.
The owner reported that two containers, each holding a large quantity of loose change, were stolen from the front counter sometime between 3-4:15 p.m. on Wednesday at Baker's Shoe Repair on 2374 Plank Road.
Vandalism:
An employee reported that graffiti was found painted on an exterior wall at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne St. on July 6 and it was reported to police on Wednesday.
L. H.
2:41 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
this isn't the first time this happened in town. I remember this being reported as happening in the Walmart parking lot in Central Park before.
Jamie
3:40 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Why would anyone but a total idiot hand any money over to a stranger for such rediculous reasons??? I'm not sure who is the dumber one here? Both should receive awards!
Dan Telvock
5:51 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
LH, you are correct. I confirmed this with the PD but after I wrote the story. It was awhile ago though.
1Ronald
7:16 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
This doesn't pass the smell test. 9 days later? Cash in an envelope? How many of us run around with cash in an envelope? Maybe from a bank, and maybe she pulled it out in the Lowe's checkout line--and this is highly unusual, but then the credibility disappears. You still you don't wait 9 days thinking it over, commiserating about it. Unless you owe someone an excuse for missing money.
d
11:41 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
People are really stupid there is an adadge that states a fool and his money are soon parted.Case applied. Route 3 is a haven for these scammers turning into the mall and those panhandles work in shifts begging for money go to walmart and target and you have the women with the cards begging for money carrying coach purses and manicured nails. You think that you are helping someone to get something to eat give them a meal from mc donalds or a loaf of bread and peanut butter instead of money you will find it left on the side of the road your just helping them get their next drug fix or bottle at the liquior store when I gave the woman the loaf of bread for her 3 hungrey kids she kept pointing to the card and took the bread thru it down on the next row and we watched as she continued to approach people asking for money but never retrieved the loaf of bread another woman getting into her car picked up the bread examined it and took it . Made me feel better that my 3.00 bread didnt get wasted.
.
Jamie
2:56 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
D, you are right on que! People today have made me feel and act the way i do towards them. I am no longer the happy go lucky guy i use to be. I wised up and i state with firmness --- NO!! Keep on walking. There are many scams that i'm wise to. One is the gas station trick. Oh, hey, sorry to bother you , but we are on our way to see Uncle Joe . We just got the call he is sick in the hospital and we got to get there. Please, do you think you could help us with some gas. We are short. I remember once when literally all i had to my name at this time was .60 cent. I said you can take this. Might help. Man shook his head no and walked away. I have heard people even using the rest area to approach truckers , mainly women that will have a small child with her, approach truckers and say , oh , we are on our way to aunt betty and we are running low on fuel .. can you help us .. We have a lady in Manassas area who walks thru the shopping center parking lots begging for money. I caught on to her and when she approached me yet another time, i laid into her ! I told her i saw her working all the shopping centers and to NEVER approach me again!! So, as i started out saying, people have made me not want to help anyone these days. For any reason. This woman in this story however, deserves what she got! Anyone be so stupid as to hand over cash like that. I don't even feel comfortable handing over my cell phone when asked! Too many looney's walking around!
Lamont Johnson
10:00 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I believe that most people that are REALLY suffering hardship don't go to the streets and parking lots for help. It makes it hard to figure out who is really in need. Especially when you have "Prosperity" con artist working pulpits and parking lots in our area.