2 Arrested in Alleged Telephone Scam Warning of Police Trouble

Police arrested two people Monday on suspicion of operating a telephone scam in which callers posed as police representatives, and threatened “trouble” unless contributions were made, authorities said.

“From what we know, lot of calls were made to the Latino community,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Jane L. Shade of the consumer protection unit.

Callers from Tri County Associates identified themselves as representatives of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Orange and Costa Mesa police departments, authorities said, claiming on some occasions to be calling for the Fox TV show “Cops.”

Those who refused to contribute were warned they would have “trouble” with police, or lose their 911 emergency telephone service, police said. Contributors were promised a car window sticker that would afford them favorable treatment in the event of a traffic stop.

Santa Ana police and D.A.’s investigators executed search warrants at the offices of Tri County Associates, in the 1500 block of East Edinger Avenue.

Arrested were Richard John Levine, 59, of Orange, the owner of the company, and Maria Isabel Gonzalez, 34, of Santa Ana, the manager. Levine is being held at the Orange County Jail on $100,000 bail. Gonzalez’s bail is $75,000.

Arrest warrants were also issued for Irineo Morales Lopez, 41, and Augustin Balle Alvares, 26, both of Santa Ana.

All are accused of one count of conspiracy to commit grand theft by false pretenses and one count of grand theft by false pretenses. If convicted, they face up to three years in prison, Shade said.

In addition, Levine is accused of five counts of violating an earlier court order, requiring him and his business to refrain from making false and misleading statements.