- December 4, 2025
COMPILED BY THE OBSERVER STAFF
Feb. 21
Cash now, delivery never
8:45 a.m. — 100 Block of Magnolia Drive. Fraud. The victim said the suspects claimed to be part of a road construction crew that was just finishing up in the area. They said they had some leftover concrete and could redo her driveway for her. After measuring, they gave her an estimate of $9,000. She told them she didn’t have that much, and they offered to do the job for $8,000.
The victim agreed and was told she would have to pay in cash. A contract would be provided after she paid, they told her. The victims followed her to a credit union with a third person staying at the house to set up the job.
A teller assisted the victim with the transaction and questioned the suspects before releasing the funds. The suspects told her that they both worked for the city and would be providing a contract to the victim for the work. The teller said they were convincing.
The victim then left the bank and went back home to find no one there. The crew also did not show up the next day.
The victim gave police a copy of a driver’s license that was presented at the credit union, a receipt for the check and a plastic bag containing a cup of cement dust. The officer reported that the suspects had spread cement dust on the driveway to make it look like work had been done.
The teller is preparing video evidence of the incident.
Feb. 22
It's the wrong way
2:46 a.m. — Airport Road and U.S. 1. Information. Police were dispatched to back up a Volusia County deputy sheriff. The deputy said he saw the suspect driving south in the northbound lanes of U.S. 1, and so he turned the case over to the Ormond Beach Police Department.
The suspect was 80 years old and driving to Lakeland from Quebec by himself. The officer noted that he appeared mentally competent but should not be driving. Rescue personnel came on the scene and said the suspect was in good health.
The officers contacted the suspect’s girlfriend in Lakeland, after getting the number from the suspect, and she said that she and her daughters would drive from Lakeland and pick him up. The officers took the suspect and his vehicle back to headquarters to wait. The girlfriend and her daughters arrived at 8:22 a.m. to pick him up.
Feb. 18
If it sounds too good to be true …
4:54 p.m. — First Block of Riverside Circle. Information. The victim said he received a phone call saying that his wife had won $450,000 and, after taxes, she would receive $285,000. To set up delivery, the victims would need to send $2,000 via money gram as a processing fee. After talking a few minutes, the suspect told the victim that, since the victim was over 65 years old and a veteran, he would reduce the processing feet to $1,430.
Before sending any money, the victim decided to check with police. While writing his statement, the victim received a call from the suspect, so he handed the phone to the police officer. The officer did not identify himself but tried to get more information, and the suspect hung up.
The officer informed the victim of other scams that have been going on.
