Police make arrest after man allegedly tried to scam 74-year-old Tiverton woman

A local man was arrested last week after trying to scam an elderly woman.

According to Tiverton Police, on Wednesday, just before 11:30 a.m., Officers of the Tiverton Police Department were contacted by a 74-year-old Tiverton resident, who advised that she may be the victim of a scam. Officers responded to the victim’s address and learned that a male suspect called the victim, claiming to be a friend. The male told the victim that he had been in an accident with a pregnant woman in Pennsylvania. The victim called her friend confirmed that it was not her friend that had contacted her.

A short time later, a second male suspect called the victim, claiming to be a public defender. The second male suspect requested $4500 in cash for bail. Tiverton Detectives became involved in the investigation, and the victim agreed to assist. The victim called the number that the second male suspect had provided her and informed him that she had the money. The male suspect instructed the victim to respond to Stop N Shop in Bristol, RI to make the exchange.

Tiverton Detectives immediately contacted the Bristol Police Department and requested assistance. Tiverton and Bristol detectives set up surveillance of the area. Once the victim arrived, the male suspect called and instructed her to go to several other locations in Bristol. Each time, Tiverton and Bristol detectives maintained constant visual surveillance. While detectives were conducting surveillance, they observed a black Chrysler 300 in the area of each of the meeting locations.

After moving to several locations, the male suspect instructed the victim to return to her home in Tiverton. Detectives set up surveillance of the residence and observed the same black Chrysler 300 that they had seen in Bristol pull up to the residence. The operator of the vehicle was taken into custody when he accepted an envelope that was supposed to contain the $4500.

The male was identified as 49-year-old Henry Sanchez Nunez, of Providence RI. Nunez was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses and Conspiracy. He was arraigned in Newport District Court the following day.

The Tiverton Police Department thanked their law enforcement partners at the Bristol Police Department.

This scam remains under investigation in an attempt to identify additional suspects and victims. If you have any information, contact Detective Sergeant Joshua Pelletier (jpelletier@tivertonpoliceri.com) or Detective Matthew Braun (mbraun@tivertonpoliceri.com).