I have to admit, I love the expression on people’s faces when they are arrested. Well not everyone, but certainly the ones who never dream of getting caught, the smug ones. The only other facial expression you encounter in police work that can top it is when you introduce someone to the undercover operator who has been buying drugs from them for the last couple of months.
I met Leo at the door of the truck, and introduced myself. He was nervous and you could see the wheels turning as he wondered 1) was he caught and 2) how could he get out of this. I asked if he was Leo, already knowing (or as confident as you could be with someone who was a fraud artist) that he was, and then asked for some ID. When I looked at the ID I noticed that there were several credit cards in his wallet, upon seeing his identification I informed him that he was under arrest as there were arrest warrants for him in several provinces and advised him of his rights. I watched his face go to crestfallen, to eyes darting looking for a way out, back to a nervous smile. As he asked when he would be released I added, “Oh and Interpol in Germany apparently wants you as well, and you are being investigated for other frauds here.” The nervous smile disappeared and the crestfallen look appeared again. A quick check of the vehicle plates showed it was reported stolen as an overdue rental from BC.
As we drove back to the office with him I rode in the back, making sure that nothing could be ditched until he was taken to the cells. I looked through his wallet as we rode; he was silent when I asked while he had credit cards in four different names in his wallet. When he made a comment about not liking being locked up I took the opportunity to wonder out loud what a gaol in Germany was like.
Once he was safely tucked away in our cells, we began to interview the four Australians, getting the details of the back story, a story that would prove just how much people are willing to believe when someone is offering us something we want.
Comments
13 responses
This is a great story! Looking forward to more.
I’m am SOO hooked on your true crime stories! I’ve read the other ones on your side bar also. How many parts will there be of this story do you know yet?
good stuff claire. when will the book be out?
I am loving this story too, I hope it’s not too long before the next installment!
More?
I used to know this guy, had the “pleasure” of meeting him a few years back. Same story as the Australians. I’m from Spain, met him during holidays in Calgary. Besides Germany, he has been reported to the police here in Spain too. I’m sooooo glad he has been caught, hope he stays there for a long time, he is a bad person and he hurts people besides stealing from them. What a lifestyle. Thanks a lot!
Just me,
Sorry to hear you were victimized also. My story dates from about 9-10 years ago, so I’m not sure if his arrest and subsequent convictions happened before or after your unfortunate meeting.
hi Clare, jeez .. in that case he’s probably out by now already!
I met him about 10 years back too, in 1997 to be exact. Is there a way to know about his whereabouts?
hi clare, would it be possible to speak with you privately regarding this story? thanks
would like to know more about this story, is the criminal still in jail? if not, may have been scammed too!!
tmarie,
I have no idea of this fellows whereabouts as the incident dates from 10 years ago. If you feel you’ve been scammed I’d suggest you contact your local police department to report the details to them.
i dont know for sure if this is the same person. the physical description of this guy is : tall, muscular, and bald, age about 37-38… do you know if this fits? dont want to jump the guns if its not the same person.
It shouldn’t matter if it is the same fellow tmarie, if you’ve been scammed. Contact the police, if a fraud has taken place they can determine if the fellow has a prior record, it will form part of their investigation.