Sheriff appoints crime analyst to track down hard-luck scammers By MATTHEW FLITTON_ Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN - The Weber County Sheriff's Office has appointed a crime analyst to investigate people telling false stories of hardship to get money. "We're trying to evaluate how extensive the problem is and look at what communities the problems exists in," said Lt. Klint Anderson. Residents of Ogden, Huntsville, South Ogden, Roy and Riverdale have reported they have been approached by someone claiming to have an uncle stuck near Causey Reservoir or a sister who has been in an accident near Evanston, Wyo., and in need of gas money. Clara Jensen, of Ogden, was approached by a young man two weeks ago. His face was bandaged and he said he had been in a car accident in his dad's sport utility vehicle. "His legs looked like he had been rolled around in gravel," she said. The man said he had to pick up his little sister from the hospital. He said his grandmother lived around the corner, and he gave her the names of people he knew in the area. She didn't recognize any of them. She gave him $10, then when she learned the little sister was in Evanston, she gave him $10 more. He left, promising to return in the morning with the money. Crystal Leschke, of South Ogden, has a similar story. Two weeks ago, she was approached by a man with a white bandage on his face. He asked for $200 to go get his sister from Evanston. She became suspicious. "He made up too many details, so I was saying it was fishy," she said. The man left when her husband came to the door. Leschke said the man returned three nights in a row, trying to break into her home. The visits range from late July through 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Anderson said the only clear description he has is a young American Indian male with long hair, at times accompanied by a Caucasian female. Other residents, such as Hope Salazar, of Ogden, say they've been approached by a man posing as a roofer who needs money to get home. The Ogden Police Department has not received complaints of the scam, according to Lt. Scott Sangberg. Mark Lowther, a deputy with Weber County who handled the calls in Marriott-Slaterville, said he has been con-tacted by several people who have been approached. He encouraged people to contact their local police depart-ments. "If they're actually wanting to file charges, they need to contact their local law enforcement agency," he said. Reporter Matthew Flitton can be reached at 625-4233 or mflitton@standard.net. September 11, 2003 Red Cross lacks funding for travelers I am writing this letter in response to a Sept. 3 news article: "Marriott-Slaterville residents scammed." The article states that several community members have been scammed by a man claiming to be a stranded traveler in need of gas money. In response to the scam, Weber County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Lowther advises that the American Red Cross helps stranded travelers as part of its mission. The American Red Cross does in fact help members of the military and their immediate family members if they are stranded or are in need of emergency financial assistance, but unfortunately, it does not have any funding to support a program that provides non-military members with emergency travel assistance. The American Red Cross of Northern Utah provides many valuable services to our community, including disaster services, utility assis- tance to the disabled and elderly, health and safety training, armed forces emergency services and international services. While there are resources in our community for stranded travelers, such as food and lodging at the local shelters, there is very limited funding for agencies in Weber County to provide direct financial assistance for emergency travel. The Road Home (formerly Travelers' Aid), located in Salt Lake City, is the best resource for emergency travel assistance in Utah. Our community now has access to the information and referral hotline telephone number 211, which is a great resource number for individuals who are unsure of what agency to call. Marcie Valdez Armed Forces Emergency Services American Red Cross of Northern Utah Ogden Looking Back at Pioneer School 20 YEARS AGO Dan E. James was named president-elect of the Ogden Area Chamber of Commerce. ... In his three years as head football coach at Bear River High, Dan Cox elevated the team from its perennial losing status into a power in 3-A football.... Principal Jerry LeRohl, teachers, cooks, custodians, aides and PTA members volunteered more than 200 hours of manpower to construct a new playground at Pioneer Elementary School.