Suspects in Crash Scam Sought by Police

Police in Santa Monica on Thursday were on the lookout for scammers who have targeted older victims by staging accidents in store parking lots and then demanding money.

"The scams involve one or two suspects who stage a minor traffic accident in a store parking lot involving the suspect's vehicle and the victim's vehicle," Santa Monica police Sgt. Jay Moroso said.

The suspect or suspects then approach the victim as they exit the lot and demand a cash payment, saying the victim hit their vehicle and that the cost of repair is less than the insurance deductible.

The suspects are a man and woman in their 40s, Moroso said, adding that they have used a red four-door vehicle to stage the accidents.

Anyone who may have been targeted by the suspects was urged to contact Santa Monica police Detective Dean Hodges at (310) 458-8928.

— City News Service