Public Assistance and Scam

The Martinsburg Police Dept is requesting the public’s assistance and also advising of a scam taking place on the south end of town in and around the Martinsburg Mall / Martins area.

Over the last week a suspect has been approaching people on foot while they are in or around their vehicle, targeting the elderly, and telling them that he has noticed some type of mechanical defect with their vehicle. They are told that he is a mechanic and he can fix what is wrong with their vehicle for a very cheap price. He is asking the people to take him to an auto parts store, or just asking for money to get parts that he says he will get and return immediately. He then either does not return or gets something cheap from the parts store. He then crawls under the car and after doing nothing says the part is fixed and he then leaves.

He has been successful in this scam several times over the past week. The suspect is described as a black male about 5-8, 150 lbs and is approximately 47 years old. We are asking if this has happened to anyone recently and the Police were not notified to please call us at 304 264 2100 so that we can further our investigation and charges to be placed on the suspect. If anyone should see the suspect in any of the parking lots please call our department.