By Tiffany Craig Investigative Reporter
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Published: Wed, September 03, 2008 - 5:50 pm
Last Updated: Wed, September 03, 2008 - 9:04 pm
Tiffany Craig
The story of Jacky Long and his granddaughter Virginia Henson started on Sunday night.
They left their Theodore home to weather the storm in a shelter. While they were gone, the house burned down. They had no insurance.
The two moved into another temporary shelter and met a man who said his name was "Russell". Virginia says he claimed to be an evacuee as well. "He said the fire department had evacuated him because he was in a low lying area. So he buttered up to you to make you feel like you were all in the same boat? Exactly"
Daisy Galvan was staying at the shelter as well and remembers the man. "Little by little, he started talking to everybody and everybody heard his story. I think that's why people were trusting him."
Tuesday evening, "Russell" hopped in the car with Jacky for a visit to the American Red Cross office on Dauphin Street. Jacky was going to apply for aid since he lost his home in a fire. Jacky got out and "Russell" asked if he could run an errand in the car. Jacky agreed and "Russell" has never been heard from again.
Since Jacky agreed to let the man take the car, the con man can only be charged with the unauthorized use of a vehicle. That crime is a misdemeanor.
Jacky did get some help from the Red Cross but needs a lot more to get back on his feet.
If you would like to pitch in, he could use any money you could spare. You can make a donation at the Regions Bank in Tillman's Corner at 5436 Highway 90.
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Gota keep those liquid refreshments cold,keep that fridge going at all costs.