MEEKER I On Dec. 20, Meeker police arrested two out-of-state females for allegedly misrepresenting themselves as relatives of Meeker residents and claiming to be collecting money so the Meeker High School volleyball team could go to Florida to play in a tournament.
Police reports indicate that the Meeker Police Department received several calls on Dec. 18 in reference to people going door to door asking for money.
“We have confirmed with one of those residents that she does not know who these girls are,” the report stated.
“While at the residence of one elderly Meeker woman, the two females are alleged to have received a donation and took (additional) money from the woman while her attention was diverted,” the report added.
There was also a separate report of a tall white male in dark clothes going door to door asking for money.
“It is unknown if these people are associated with each other,” the report stated.
The two out-of-state females, one a juvenile, were arrested Dec. 20. The amounts of money allegedly taken has not been disclosed.
In addition to the police report, Meeker Police Lt. Phil Stubblefield said, “We have learned that one of the girls is a juvenile. She gave us a false name and bonded out of jail on the false name. She’s also wanted out of Utah on similar charges.”
Meeker Police Chief Bob Hervey reported that both girls were reportedly from Manchester, Tenn., but that it isn’t known if that is a correct home town considering the false names given.
The other suspect is being held in the Rio Blanco County Jail pending a Feb. 16 hearing. The charges for both suspects include at least two felonies: criminal impersonation and theft.
