2 charged after Unity woman is scammed of $19,000

Two New York men are behind bars after state police said they scammed a Unity woman out of $19,000 and led troopers on a chase that ended with their capture on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled later this month for Reheem J. Anderson, 22, and Floyd B. Forrest, 26. They are charged with corrupt organizations, theft, fleeing from police, reckless endangerment and related offenses.

The woman reported to police last week that she was contacted by phone and informed she won $5 million and a Mercedes Benz from a person who claimed to be representing Publisher’s Clearing House, according to court papers. She received what was later confirmed by her bank to be a fake $30,000 check and was instructed to deposit it and take out $9,500 of her own money to pay taxes on the winnings, police said.

The day after she handed that $9,500 over to someone who visited her house, she got another call asking for a second $9,500 payment. After she gave that cash to someone, she called police, according to court papers.

A third attempt by the scammer to get cash turned into a sting operation with troopers last week, but the suspects evaded police onto Route 30 in a Nissan Rogue. Minutes later, troopers from the Somerset Turnpike station spotted the SUV driving eastbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, prompting a high-speed police chase, according to court papers.

After the SUV was disabled by spike strips, police said the suspects were apprehended as they attempted to run away. Two bags that were seized contained a UPS uniform and a driver’s license that was connected to the $30,000 fake check, police said.

Both Anderson and Forrest were denied bail. They are being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. Preliminary hearings are set for April 28.

Attorney David Shrager said Anderson is anxious to have his day in court and share his side of the story.

“We are at the beginning of an investigation as this case is still early in its stages,” he said.

Forrest’s attorney could not be reached.

Publisher’s Clearing House warns consumers that any request to make a payment to claim a prize is a scam. Consumers should be wary of emails, phone calls and checks purporting to be from Publisher’s Clearing House. Scam reports can be filled out online.