Police Seek 2 Thieves in ‘Finder’ Scheme

Police are asking for public assistance in capturing a man known as “The Finder” and his partner, who have twice tried to steal money from gas station attendants with a scam involving a supposedly lost ring.

“The Finder” approached cashiers at two gas stations earlier this month and asked if anyone had reported losing a ring, which he showed to the attendants, Police Det. George Johnson said. During the conversation, the cashiers received a phone call from someone reporting a lost ring and offering a $750 reward, investigators said.

The caller, who police believe is working with the first man, then promised to be at the station with the money in 45 minutes. During the wait, the ring finder persuaded the cashiers to split the reward and pay him half the money in advance, Johnson said.

In the first incident, which occurred on July 9 in the 1400 block of Baker Street, the attendant did not buy the ruse. But two days later, another attendant at a gas station in the 200 block of East 17th Street gave the thief $310 from the cash register, Brown said.

“The suspect then walked off with the ring,” Brown said. “The cashier chased after him and told him he needed the ring to get the reward.”

The thief refused to give up the ring and gave the attendant a wad of money back. But when the cashier returned to his post and counted the money, there was only $180, which was $130 short of the amount he gave, Brown said. The caller who promised a reward never showed up, police said.

“There’s some greed on the part of the victim that overrode his good sense,” Brown said.

Police described the thief as a white man with blond hair, from 35 to 40 years old, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 150 pounds.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the thieves to call (714) 754-5294.