Oakland Park Commissioner Foils Utility Worker Scam
OAKLAND PARK (CBSMiami) - An 87-year-old Oakland Park woman may have been the target of a "utility worker scam" before a quick thinking neighbor threw a wrench in the alleged thieves plans.
According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, Oakland Park Commissioner Tim Lonergan saw a black Mercedes Benz parked in the driveway of his elderly neighbor's driveway. He said two men in reflective vests and hard hats got out and felt like something wasn't right.
Lonergan took pictures of the Mercedes and the license tag and then went to check on his neighbor. The duo said they were there to check for leaks, but Lonergan didn't recognize them as city workers and neither had city ID badges.
Lonergan began to hammer both of the men with questions and they took off in the Mercedes. BSO said the car belongs to Tom Bimbo, 49, of Pompano Beach and Lonergan picked him out a photo line-up as one of the alleged scam artists.
BSO said there is a warrant for his arrest on one charge of burglary of an occupied dwelling.
BSO said if you have any information about Bimbo's whereabouts or the other suspect, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).