Friday, October 27, 2000
Friday, October 27, 2000 |
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Two arrested for Fayetteville church scam
By JOHN
MUNFORD
An apparent scam designed to bilk at least three local churches possibly more out of over $1,000 has landed two East Point residents in jail. Fayetteville Police arrested Shara Moore, 40, and Stanley Hector, 33, Tuesday as they came to Fayetteville's First Baptist Church to collect a check, said police department spokesman Lt. Tom Kirkbride. Moore was charged with three counts of theft by deception and one count of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Hector was charged with one count of theft by deception. One of the suspects admitted to asking several local churches for money to help keep a needy family from being evicted. Other churches in the metro Atlanta area were also victimized, although they haven't all been identified, Kirkbride said. As many as 20 other churches may also have been struck by Moore and Hector, he said. The person contacting the churches claimed to represent a legitimate community service organization, which lended credibility to the scam, Kirkbride said. Moore and Hector also took money from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Fayetteville First Methodist Church, Kirkbride added. Both suspects were being held in the Fayette County Jail Thursday morning. Moore's bond has been set at $11,200 and Hector's bond was set at $11,050. After the arrests were made, it was discovered that Moore was wanted by the Georgia Pardons and Parole Board for violating her parole, Kirkbride said. The police department became involved Tuesday when a local pastor became wary of the pair, who had arranged to pick up a second check Tuesday from First Baptist Church. Detectives waited for Moore and Hector, interviewing them when they arrived and later placing them under arrest, Kirkbride said. Any local church leaders who feel they may have fallen victim to this scam should contact the Fayetteville Police Department at 770-461-4441 and ask for Detective Crawshaw.
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