BLADES, Del.- Delaware State Police have arrested a Seaford man accused of pretending to be a veteran as part of a door-to-door scam.
Police said that late Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 7, troopers responded to the 100 block of Meadows Drive in Blades for a report of a suspicious person going to homes and soliciting money.
According to police, the suspicious person made contact with five residents, four who of whom are over the age of 62, and told them that he was a Marine veteran with multiple sclerosis, and affiliated with the local VFW.
Hearn indicated to the victims that he was soliciting donations for an alleged Valentine’s Day 5k for M.S., police said. Troopers said Hearn received several monetary donations and provided the victims with a handwritten receipt.
While in the neighborhood, a trooper observed a man matching the description of the suspicious person. The trooper made contact with the man, identified as 44-year-old Rodney A. Hearn, of Seaford.
A computer inquiry revealed Hearn had an active warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident and found in possession of a receipt booklet and drug paraphernalia, according to police. Police said that all of the money that Hearn had collected was returned to the victims.
Hearn was transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with four counts of theft by false pretense where the victim is 62 years or older (felony), five counts of criminal impersonation by pretending to represent some person or organization, theft by false pretense and possession of drug paraphernalia
Hearn was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and released on his own recognizance.