HYDE PARK – Several shoppers at the Super Stop & Shop at 3999 Albany Post Road (US Route 9) in Hyde Park have been complaining about a suspicious couple trying to scam money from customers.
Many customers and neighboring businesses have taken to social media to alert patrons of the issue. One post describes the situation as follows:
**COMMUNITY WARNING**
Please be aware there is an older biracial couple scamming customers at the HP Stop & Shop.
They sometimes work in tandem, in the parking lot and in the store.
Most commonly they will state they need a ride to a gas station to pick up their car, use intimidation to force the victim to take them to multiple locations, and (again using aggressiveness and intimidation) force the victim to give them money.
They appear to be preying on young people specifically, utilizing their age as an authoritative intimidating angle along with aggressiveness once in the vehicle.
Please, warn the children/young people in your life NOT to pick up strangers. The consequences could be far worse than being out $60-70.
I’ve urged the store to put signs on their entrances to warn customers this has happened to more than one person, even while being INSIDE the store. I’ve also urged them to educate all of their staff, for their protection as well as the safety of customers.
If this happens to you or someone you know, please report it to the police.
Description:
Both around age 60. Black male, robust figure, probably around 5’5-5’8, was wearing a black puffy jacket and black beanie. White female, blonde fine straight hair about 2” below shoulder, maybe 140 lbs, around 5’5”-5’8”, wearing a dark blue jean colored hoodie and red coat with fur trim.
According to the Town of Hyde Park Police Chief Robert Benson, his agency is aware of the situation. “There have been no crimes committed as we know of yet,” said Benson. The Chief noted that his agency has received multiple reports of similar incidents and the couple has been identified. Hyde Park Police have also issued an advisory on social media. The police are encouraging people to “never give anyone a ride that you don’t know and never let strangers in your vehicle for any reason whatsoever.”
Hyde Park Police have received multiple complaints about scam artists operating in the town.
Chief Benson said that anyone that feels they have been a victim of a crime relating to the couple can call 845-229-9340. Attempts to reach Hyde Park Stop & Shop’s General Manager Lisa Cartalono-Ruger were unsuccessful.
