Auction Items Going Once, Going Twice In Series Of Thefts
(CBS) – There's a multi-state manhunt for a woman accused of visiting local auctions, winning bids and then taking off with them without paying.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports.
When you go to an auction, you bid, you win, you pay -- even if you take the goods to the car first.
Portage, Ind. police say some bargain-busting bidders don't play by the rules. They want to talk to a female suspect – Celena Will of Berwyn, Ill. -- accused of driving off with goods she didn't pay for.
Star Light Auctions in Portage, Ind. says they got hit two weeks ago.
"They get the item and they have authorization to take it to their vehicle," auctioneer Paul Jones says. "It is trust."
Jones says the woman used an Illinois driver's license to register before the auction and then allegedly bid on collectible coins and a list of other small items. She may have had a partner load the stuff into a car.
Jones says someone at an auction in Carol Stream took photos of the pair when they tried a similar game there.
Portage police issued the police report and have submitted the case to Porter County prosecutors for an arrest warrant.
"I hope that they learn a lesson and become better people," Jones says.
