News

Actions

Suffolk police searching for man accused of running gravel scam

Posted at 8:12 PM, Mar 05, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-05 20:12:40-05

 Suffolk, Va. – The Suffolk Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in finding a man wanted for scamming people with gravel driveways.

47-year-old Frank Small of Suffolk is wanted on the charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Police say Small and others have been approaching residences and providing unsolicited estimates for the delivery of small amounts of gravel “left over from a recent job in the area.”

Their targets are people with dirt or gravel driveways in need of repair. Once the person agrees to the receipt of the excess gravel, a much larger amount of gravel is delivered and a substantially higher amount of money is demanded.

It is believed through the investigation that these Small and his associates have also approached several others who have turned them down.

Police ask anyone who has encountered this scenario, or may have information regarding Small and his associates, to contact the Suffolk Police Department.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Line at 1-888-Lock-U-Up.

When calling Crime Line, callers do not have to give their names or appear in court. Citizens can also utilize TipSoft to anonymously submit crime-related tips through the Web, a text message, or from any Android or iPhone mobile device with the TipSubmit mobile app.  Tips can be submitted by visiting www.tipsubmit.com, or by texting the word “CRIMES” (274637) with the keyword SPDVATIP.  TipSoft also supports users’ ability to submit videos or photos using the TipSoft mobile app. If information leads to an arrest, the caller or “tipster” could qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.