Senior citizen foils alleged scammers
By: Tamara Barak Aparton
Examiner Staff Writer
November 18, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO — A quick-thinking senior citizen in the Richmond district foiled a trio of scam artists who have been preying upon elderly Asian residents, San Francisco police reported Monday.
Police said the three suspects — Los Angeles residents Ricky Guy, 37, Frank John, 35, and Michael Ulrich, 35 — are suspected in 15 imposter scams during the last two months, San Francisco police Sgt. Willfred Williams said.
The men would pose as water company personnel in order to gain access to residences, primarily targeting Asian seniors; once inside, one man would distract the homeowner while others rifled through the house for valuables, according to police.
The scam ground to a halt Monday, thanks to a woman living on 17th Avenue, Williams said. The woman had just watched a broadcast on Chinese-language television warning senior citizens about the scam when her doorbell rang. When the three men identified themselves as employees of the water department, the woman shut the door and called police, describing the men and their vehicle.
Police located and arrested the trio a short time later at Geary Boulevard and 23rd Avenue.
