Sheriff warns of scammers in Maries County

The Maries County Sheriff's Department is asking Mid-Missouri residents who might have been victims of a scam to contact authorities.

Eric, Kelly, Lauren and Logan Estes
Eric, Kelly, Lauren and Logan Estes
Lindsay Handrick and Ashley Handrick
Lindsay Handrick and Ashley Handrick

Sheriff Chris Heitman reports two Hannibal men were arrested Wednesday in Maries County on suspicion of attempting to scam a 78-year-old woman and an 85-year-old man out of nearly $4,000. The two allegedly have a history of offering to perform services for a high fee without finishing the work. The woman became suspicious and, instead of paying anything, contacted the sheriff.

The suspects were identified as Walter L. Gollaher Jr., 32, and Michael D. Rickey, 43, who both were being held after their arrests in the Maries County Jail.

Heitman claims the two suspects are wanted in various counties in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas on fraud and stealing by deceit charges and have evaded law enforcement for nearly five years.

"If you have or know someone who has possibly been scammed by either of these subjects please contact your local law enforcement agency," the sheriff stated in a release.

"Remember to check a company out before using them to avoid being scammed," he added.

Editor's note: Mobile viewers of this page can click the photos icon on the mobile site to find suspect photos in the photo gallery.

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