Carolyne Mathis (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department / September 2, 2010) |
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Police are warning residents in San Bernardino County about a money-collecting scam after a woman was arrested for soliciting burial funds for a child she never had.
Carolyne Mathis, 19, a transient from Perris, was arrested on Sunday in the area of Milliken Avenue and 4th Street in the City of Rancho Cucamonga, according to police.
Mathis, along with an unidentified white man in his 20s, had created a large sign with a picture of an infant stating that they were in need of funeral donations. The picture of the infant was found on the Internet.
The man would occasionally come by and empty out the large plastic jar Mathis used to store the money, police said.
The couple had reportedly collected hundreds of dollars.
A deputy at the scene determined that Mathis did not have a deceased child. She was arrested for panhandling and later released.
Police believe there may be other suspects using the same scam to collect money in other local cities.
Residents are encouraged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department at (909) 477-2800 if they spot similar activity.
Carolyne Mathis, 19, a transient from Perris, was arrested on Sunday in the area of Milliken Avenue and 4th Street in the City of Rancho Cucamonga, according to police.
Mathis, along with an unidentified white man in his 20s, had created a large sign with a picture of an infant stating that they were in need of funeral donations. The picture of the infant was found on the Internet.
The man would occasionally come by and empty out the large plastic jar Mathis used to store the money, police said.
The couple had reportedly collected hundreds of dollars.
A deputy at the scene determined that Mathis did not have a deceased child. She was arrested for panhandling and later released.
Police believe there may be other suspects using the same scam to collect money in other local cities.
Residents are encouraged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department at (909) 477-2800 if they spot similar activity.
