Scam artist picked up again
It may be three times is not a charm for a local scam artist.
A Cassadaga woman is in custody once again after an arrest warrant. Shaina Stone, 20, of Cassadaga was taken into custody by Dunkirk Police Department Thursday morning.
Stone was arraigned in Dunkirk City Court on Monday for two counts of second-degree scheme to defraud but was released on bail. Soon after her release, Dunkirk City Police received reports of Stone allegedly begging for money once again. Stone uses a variety of hard luck stories ranging from she ran out of gas and needs money to visit an ill relative in the hospital in Buffalo to not having eaten in several days. All of Stone's stories are fictitious. Stone was gone when police arrived on scene. Due to Stone leaving, Judge Walter Drag issued an arrest warrant, according to Chief of Police David Ortolano.
"Through an investigation we got an arrest warrant after Monday because (Stone) was released and we received calls that she was doing the same thing," Ortolano said.
On Thursday morning, Dunkirk Police received reports that Stone may be in the area of Lake Shore Drive. Stone was picked up on Armadillo Street in the city for the same activity - soliciting door-to-door for money. Stone was charged following an investigation that started in late December when Dunkirk Police received complaints of a woman going door-to-door asking for money. Stone was also previously charged by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office in May last year for fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property for selling a stolen TV to another individual. The stolen TV was later connected to a burglary in Sheridan.
Ortolano would like to warn residents that Stone may not be the only person in the area who are participating in this type of scam and to be aware.
"We advise and recommend not opening the door to anyone you don't know who they are and call your local police agency," Ortolano said. "Be aware and don't fall for the hard luck story."
Scam artists may also target victims in parking lots and shopping centers and not just door-to-door, Ortolano reminded.
Stone was arraigned in Dunkirk City Court Thursday morning and was transferred to Chautauqua County Jail on $1,300 bail. According to Sgt. Mark Polowy, Stone already posted bail and is out of jail. The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending.
"As far as we're looking at pretty much more of the same type of (charges)," Polowy said.
After the story appeared in Thursday's edition of the OBSERVER, many individuals have been calling the Dunkirk Police Station and four or five more victims of the scam are being questioned by police.
Stone's activity is not limited to Dunkirk and there have been complaints in the business areas of Route 60 in the town of Dunkirk, town of Pomfret and the village of Fredonia.
"Don't open the door for her, just go straight to the phone and call us," Polowy said.
If Stone comes to your door, they are asked to call the Dunkirk Police at 366-2266.
A Cassadaga woman is in custody once again after an arrest warrant. Shaina Stone, 20, of Cassadaga was taken into custody by Dunkirk Police Department Thursday morning.
Stone was arraigned in Dunkirk City Court on Monday for two counts of second-degree scheme to defraud but was released on bail. Soon after her release, Dunkirk City Police received reports of Stone allegedly begging for money once again. Stone uses a variety of hard luck stories ranging from she ran out of gas and needs money to visit an ill relative in the hospital in Buffalo to not having eaten in several days. All of Stone's stories are fictitious. Stone was gone when police arrived on scene. Due to Stone leaving, Judge Walter Drag issued an arrest warrant, according to Chief of Police David Ortolano.
"Through an investigation we got an arrest warrant after Monday because (Stone) was released and we received calls that she was doing the same thing," Ortolano said.
On Thursday morning, Dunkirk Police received reports that Stone may be in the area of Lake Shore Drive. Stone was picked up on Armadillo Street in the city for the same activity - soliciting door-to-door for money. Stone was charged following an investigation that started in late December when Dunkirk Police received complaints of a woman going door-to-door asking for money. Stone was also previously charged by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office in May last year for fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property for selling a stolen TV to another individual. The stolen TV was later connected to a burglary in Sheridan.
Ortolano would like to warn residents that Stone may not be the only person in the area who are participating in this type of scam and to be aware.
"We advise and recommend not opening the door to anyone you don't know who they are and call your local police agency," Ortolano said. "Be aware and don't fall for the hard luck story."
Scam artists may also target victims in parking lots and shopping centers and not just door-to-door, Ortolano reminded.
Stone was arraigned in Dunkirk City Court Thursday morning and was transferred to Chautauqua County Jail on $1,300 bail. According to Sgt. Mark Polowy, Stone already posted bail and is out of jail. The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending.
"As far as we're looking at pretty much more of the same type of (charges)," Polowy said.
After the story appeared in Thursday's edition of the OBSERVER, many individuals have been calling the Dunkirk Police Station and four or five more victims of the scam are being questioned by police.
Stone's activity is not limited to Dunkirk and there have been complaints in the business areas of Route 60 in the town of Dunkirk, town of Pomfret and the village of Fredonia.
"Don't open the door for her, just go straight to the phone and call us," Polowy said.
If Stone comes to your door, they are asked to call the Dunkirk Police at 366-2266.
