Our Car Repair Scammer

Thanx to an alert and aware neighbor who sent the dialogue about this scammer in the attachment to this report. This is info to pass on to your neighbors and friends. If anyone suspects they have become a victim of this parking lot scam – DO NOT pay the guy who just happens to show up volunteering to make repairs – call 911 and then call Midtown Tire at 404-874-1112 who will come to your rescue at no charge, thanx to store manager Seth Jones.

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John,

Wanted to make you aware of an incident at the El Azteca on Ponce De Leon. Have heard you describe this scam before on your emails, and it looks like the guy is back in the neighborhood. My office window next door faces their parking lot. I watched a couple pull up in a jeep Cherokee who went inside to eat. Not long afterwards I saw an older (60ish? grey whiskers) black male, thick glasses, walking up between the cars, acting as though he was talking on a cell phone, but he did not look quite right. He was wearing a bright green and yellow JAMAICA athletic jersey. I was on a lengthy phone call at the time. He disappeared for a moment, seemed to be sitting on the curb or squatting down right next to the front left wheel of the Cherokee. He then walked off to the south of the building out of site. A few minutes later, the couple came out, and the car would not start. they raised the hood, about the time I saw the guy returning to the lot with a new dark blue T shirt on in place of the brightly colored one. He walked into the restaurant area, grabbed a newspaper off the table and was hanging out outside next to a truck. I thought I recognized him as the same guy. He stood by the truck for a while. I was really suspicious at this point. After he watched for a minute or so, he not surprisingly offered help, and started talking with the jeep owner. At this point I got off the line and called 911 and told them I thought a scam was going on, gave them location, descriptions and the tag number of the car. he messed around under the hood for a while, then walked over to the truck as though he was going to retrieve some tools. When the car owners were not looking I watched him pull a pair of pliers out of his pants and then walked back over to the couple. After playing around with the battery for a while, he finally went back under the car in the location that he had initially ducked down before. Not surprisingly, the car then started. More pleasantries were exchanged and money changed hands. I went outside and to watch more closely and see if I could get a photo. Once the job was done, the perp walked back over the far side of the truck and acted as though he was putting his tools in the bed, then stood beside it, hiding behind the cab until the victims left the property. I managed to get a couple of photos of him while he was in this posture. They are attached. He became uneasy and stopped me and tried to strike up a conversation, telling me he was from CUBA and speaking with a really bad fake accent. He got spooked and made an exit , unfortunately before the police arrived. I got a few more photos as he walked away, also attached.

Unfortunately it looks like he got away, but thought it might be worth posting the photos so people could keep a lookout. He is pretty slick and cagey, the accents, the clothes changes, glasses on, glasses off, hat on, hat off, these were all pretty smart moves, he seems to be pretty well seasoned at this. Thought you would like to be aware.