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Accused scam artist wanted in Norfolk

Posted at 12:06 AM, Aug 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-01 00:06:56-04

Norfolk, Va. - William Terrance Gholston is accused of being a scam artist and investigators say he's a good one.

“He's very articulate.  He's very smooth.  He's very well dressed. He's not someone people would think would be conning them and scamming them,” says Chris Amos with the Norfolk Police Department.

Police say his scams revolve around cars.

And they say Gholston has gotten away with thousands of dollars in repairs from several local dealerships and auto shops.

“He would get cars and drop cars off at dealerships at night with a false name. He would return and pick those cars up under a false name without paying a dime,” says Amos.

Police say he would provide false information for the companies to bill him for the repairs.

“By the time the car companies, the repair shops find out, it's too late. He's gone,” says Amos.

And investigators say Gholston sold cars he didn't even own.

“He'll take a vehicle he has a false title for and sell that vehicle.  It's all about deception,” Amos says.

Police say he's pulled similar cons in New York and Gholston faces charges in Chesapeake.

“This is an ongoing investigation. We think there are certainly more things involved than what we've seen thus far,” says Amos.

Norfolk police are hoping a NewsChannel 3 viewer can take action to help find him before he leaves the area.

“We've been in contact with him here. And we've asked him to turn himself in. He has said he would.  He hasn't.  It's as if he's taunting investigators,” says Amos.

If you know where he is, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.