Prichard Bust: Trick Or Treat?

Alabama Prichard Prichard police hoped to lure in a few dozen suspects with the promise of free money but only a few showed up.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Fri, October 30, 2009 - 4:05 pm CST

PRICHARD, Alabama - The letter reads like it came from the Prichard prize patrol.

"It is with great pleasure The City of Prichard has the opportunity to assist its residence," the letter says. "The opportunity has come about due to some grant funds."

Seventy-one residents received the unsigned note offering free money to help pay utility bills. All they had to do was show up at city hall with their ID and a copy of the bill they want the city to help pay, but as with all things that seem too good to be true, this letter had a catch. The recipients all had outstanding warrants and when they showed up to collect their money, police planned to arrest them.

"We're always looking for creative ways to lure suspects in," said Latoya Veal, a spokesperson for the city.

Unfortunately for police, the timing of the planned bust could have been better. Prichard filed for bankruptcy just three days ago, so the idea that the city has extra money laying around may not be very believable.

Of the 71 targeted suspects, only two actually showed up.

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Fenian Says:

Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 9:16 am

I’m still chuckling at their use of “residence” in stead of “residents”...it sort of sets it up well.

posted from my iPhone

nigel49 Says:

Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 11:06 pm

Arrest them??? They should just sentence them to a private weekend with Hisman Thomas.

cissiebee Says:

Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 10:17 pm

They could have cashed in on frequent mover miles and left town too.

misty Says:

Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 7:15 pm

2 out of seventy one showed up…. Looks like the joke was on them. They should have said show up with ID to get $200 stimulus check. if they had warrants they probably didn’t have utility bills in their name.

rmseek1234 Says:

Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 5:47 pm

Maybe timing could have been better had they waited until the MIDDLE of the month when welfare money was gone…..The first is Sunday,right? Meaning,they most likely got those government checks yesterday or today…...just a thought.