HAMPTON — Two men are in jail, held on $25,000 bail, after local police say they executed a sting, arresting the suspects for allegedly attempting to bilk local residents out of thousands of dollars.
According to Hampton Deputy Police Chief Alex Reno, Luis Osmar Brito Urbaez, 32, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Junior Samuel Ricart Fortuna, 19, of the Dominican Republic, were arraigned at Rockingham Superior Court on June 14 on felony charges of conspiracy to commit theft.
The case is being handled by the office of the Rockingham County Attorney, Reno said. A Class A felony, if convicted they face possible sentences of from seven to 15 years, he added.
“They’re each being held on $25,000 cash bail and can’t be released until they surrender their passports,” Reno said. “That’s because they’re both residents of the Dominican Republic.”
Reno said the department was called Monday night, June 13 by local residents who said they thought they had been targeted as part of what police refer to as “the grandparent scam” or “the emergency scam.” The unlawful ruse historically involves calling people saying a relative is in trouble and in need of funds.
This time, the scam had a new twist, Reno said.
“They were called and told, ‘Your grandson was in an accident and needs money for medical costs,’” Reno said. “The individuals then went to the grandparents’ home and picked up the money.”
Reno said one of the alleged thieves pretended to be an attorney,…
