Richmond police continue to search for two men involved in an advertising scheme where they sold a $750 ad to a local business. The ad never appeared, and the phony salesman has disappeared.
Staff at Star Mortgage, at 5011 Atwood Drive, were approached Nov. 5 by a man going by the name of Chris Pearson. He said had an advertising contract with Trader’s Village, at 1618 Northgate Drive.
The ad was to be a 3-by-8-foot banner placed on the backside of Trader’s Village, which could be seen by those driving on the Interstate.
The banner was to be in place by Nov. 15.
“I drove by on the 16th and didn’t see it,” said Karen Young, a loan officer for Star Mortgage. “I e-mailed, made phone calls, that was the last we saw of him. I don’t know how many other people this has happened to.”
The company contacted the Richmond Police Department and filed a report on Nov. 24.
“Trader’s Village didn’t know anything about that,” Young said.
“We have interviewed Chris, but we haven’t interviewed Ray Pearson (who may be Chris Pearson’s father),” said Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. “The investigation is ongoing, but we haven’t been able to track Ray down yet.”
The man asked the company to pay him $450 up front for materials, and came back on Nov. 12 to collect the rest of the money, Young said.
Ray Pearson came along with Chris when he returned for the second time to receive the remainder of the costs.
“The police went to his (Chris’s) apartment, and he had been evicted,” Young said. “They contacted his mother who never called them back. They found the father (Ray) at the Holiday Motel in Berea and he stated due to the design (of the ad), it was taking longer than normal, but that it was going to be installed.”
Those at Star Mortgage had no reason to doubt his legitimacy as an ad salesman when he first came into the business.
“He gave us the dimensions, and the second time, he brought in a proof to show us what it was going to look like,” said Beverly Maybriar, owner of Star Mortgage. “He had even made up a contract.”
Advertising scams are showing up all over the world, but the Better Business Bureau of Central & Eastern Kentucky is trying to protect those living in the 56 Kentucky counties that fall within their jurisdiction.
The BBB has joined with the Lexington Advertising Club to create The Truth in Advertising Plan.
“The main objective of the Truth in Advertising Plan is to promote public confidence in the truth and accuracy of advertising through education and self-regulation,” according to information found at www.lexington.bbb.org/TruthInAdv.asp. “We have developed a form that you can use to help us in monitoring local advertising to make sure it is honest and ethical.”
The form can be downloaded by visiting the aforementioned Web site.
Anyone with questions about The Truth in Advertising Plan can send an e-mail to info@bluegrass.bbb.org or call 1-859-259-1008 or toll-free within the state at 1-800-866-6668.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Local company victim of advertising scam
- Local News
-
-
Summer break, here we come
Students and faculty at B. Michael Caudill Middle School participated in field day activities Wednesday. Today is Madison County Schools’ last day before summer break begins.
-
City to require pawn brokers, resellers to obtain, report records
The Richmond City Commission heard first readings of two ordinances Tuesday that are designed to thwart criminals’ ability to sell stolen items.
The ordinances will require pawn brokers, consignment stores, junk/scrap metal dealers and other similar businesses to obtain the identities of their customers and keep records of items acquired. -
County to settle on retirement back pay for two deputies
A settlement has been made in the case of two Madison County sheriff’s deputies seeking back hazardous duty retirement pay after being fired in 2010 by former Sheriff Nelson O’Donnell.
-
Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Two men accused of killing a Richmond couple for money and then hiding their bodies in graves along Tates Creek Road were indicted Wednesday on capital charges by a Madison grand jury.
Matthew Denholm, 27, and Daniel Keene, 26, were both indicted on two counts each of murder, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. They also were each indicted on tampering with physical evidence and first-degree burglary charges.
The indictments were returned around 2 p.m. and read by Judge Jean C. Logue. Commonwealth’s Attorney David Smith said he expected Denholm and Keene would be arraigned in Madison Circuit Court in mid-June. -
4 whooping cough cases confirmed
Four cases of whooping cough have been confirmed in Madison County as of Wednesday, according to local health department officials.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, may start out with symptoms similar to a cold (runny nose and mild cough), but after one to two weeks develops into a severe cough. -
STAFF REPORT: Richmond Crimes
A resident in the 200 block of Shamrock Lane reported Monday that several items had been stolen from her unlocked vehicle the previous night.
-
BREAKING NEWS: Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Two men accused of killing a Richmond couple for money and then hiding their bodies in graves along Tates Creek Road were indicted Wednesday on capital charges by a Madison grand jury.
Matthew Denholm, 27, and Daniel Keene, 26, were both indicted on two counts each of murder, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. They also were each indicted on tampering with physical evidence and first-degree burglary charges. -
Kentucky fallen officers honored at annual ceremony
The best part about Alexandria Police Department Officer James Sticklen’s job was being able to work with kids almost every day.
He was the school resource officer Campbell County Middle School.
“He always used to say there are no bad kids, they just make bad decisions,” said his wife, Laurie. -
Shell beats Mick by 54 votes
Republican Jonathan Shell and Democrat Bradley “Bud” Montgomery will face off in November for the 36th District state representative seat.
Shell received 810 votes in Madison County, beating Republican opponent Nathan Mick by only 54 votes. -
Woman attacked on Berea College walking track
A woman on the Berea College walking track suffered minor injuries Saturday when an unknown man struck her in the face twice, according to Berea Police Public Information Officer Jake Reed.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
