June 15, 1997

Con-artists caught
in Rich Square

ROBERT MOHL
Herald News Editor

	RICH SQUARE -- The con-artists picked the wrong target Friday.
	Four men trying to bilk Rev. John and Mildred Parker of 432 West Jackson St.
wound up behind bars, Sgt. Charles Barfield of the Northampton County Sheriff's
Department said.
	The four men stopped at the Parkers and said they noticed loose flashing near
the chimney. They offered the Parkers a $35 repair and climbed on the roof.
	"They nailed a few nails, but that's all they did," said Mrs. Parker, 81.
"They began to find some other things they said needed to be done."
	When they came down they showed the Parkers some rotten wood they had brought
with them and said they found it by the chimney. They also produced a bag which
they said contained feces from burst plumbing in the basement.
	The men then began negotiating with the Parkers for repairs. One of the men
even went to the truck to "'call his office," Barfield said. After dropping their
price by $1,000 the group left to "pick up supplies."
	Mrs. Parker called her son, David Parker of Spring Hope, for a loan. He
contacted Rich Square police and Chief Eddie Buffaloe investigated. A city worker
checked the pipes and found no leaks. Buffaloe told the Parkers he would wait
down the road for the workers to return. When they did, around 4 p.m., police
slapped the cuffs on them.
	"We got them right there at the scene," said Barfield. The suspects offered
no resistance.
	Arrested were: Kenyon Edward Gainey, 27, of Tarboro; Marvin Dean Hicks, 35,
of Rocky Mount; Billy Ray Sanders, 43, of Rocky Mount; and Barry Lynn Watson, 28,
of Sharpsburg.
	Barfield said he recognized two of the suspects as members of a fraud ring
operating out of the Nash-Edgecombe area. Gainey has earlier fraud cases against
him in Northampton, Barfield said.
	All four were charged with attempting to obtain property by false pretense.
If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison. They were released from
Northampton County Jail after posting $6,000 bond.
	Flimflam artists travel the state in pickup trucks conning the elderly,
Barfield said.
	"One hundred percent of the time these victims are in their 80s," Barfield
said. The crooks find their targets by looking for telltale signs, like no toys
on the yard.
	Barfield urged elderly residents to be on their guard.
	"If you haven't called them I wouldn't trust them," said Barfield.
"Legitimate companies don't go door to door."
	Barfield said he hears about three cases a year in Northampton, but believes
the problem is larger. Elderly victims are embarrassed to report the crime, he
said.
	Taking part in the arrest were Rich Square Police Chief Eddie Buffaloe Sr.,
Northampton County drug enforcement agent Eddie Buffaloe Jr., ABC Officer Ted
Sumner, Detective Sgt. Barfield and other Northampton deputies.


How to stop con-men

	Flimflam artists use high pressure tactics and convincing stories to prey on
the elderly. Here are some tips you can use to protect yourself:
	* Be suspicious of free inspections or cheap repairs. Legitimate repairmen
don't go door-to-door.
	* Don't let anyone in your house. Flimflam men are known to steal checkbooks
and other valuables during their "inspection."
	* Never agree to repairs on the spot. Ask for a business card and tell the
visitor you will call them back.
	* Check with a son, daughter or other responsible person before agreeing to
repairs.