BENTONVILLE (KFSM) — Police have arrested three suspects on suspicion of taking part in a lottery scam.
According to a release from the sheriff’s office, Gary Parent, Deanna Clark and Sandra Clark were booked on suspicion of felony theft of property by deception.
The release stated that an initial investigation from June 2015 revealed that Parent and Deanna Clark had scammed a victim from Story, Ark. out of approximately $900.
A second investigation began on December 18, 2015 when the police department received a theft report from a female citizen in Mobile, Ala. The individual claimed that someone had called her, telling her she won a lottery and a car, the release stated.
The victim stated that she was told to send money to Parent in Bentonville for taxes. The investigation revealed that Parent had kept some of the money for himself and sent the remainder to someone in Jamaica. Investigators learned that Parent had recruited Deanna Clark and her sister Sandra to help him with the scam, the release stated.
Investigation records determined that the three suspects had scammed $20,000 out of at least 20 victims from April-December 2015, according to the release.
*Story updated on Thursday, January 28 at 5:03 p.m.*
Further investigation revealed a fourth was suspect was involved in the case, according to a Bentonville Police release.
Bonnie Clark, 71, was also arrested on suspicion of theft of property by deception. She turned herself in to the police department after a warrant had been issued for her arrest. She was released after being cited a criminal citation, the release stated.
Deanna Clark and Clark have bonded out, according to online jail records. Parent remains in custody on a $5,000 bond.
The Bentonville Police attached the following warning:
“If you receive a call from someone claiming you have won a lottery or have won the Publisher’s Clearing House, the Bentonville Police Department urges you to use caution in providing personal information over the phone. Citizens should also be abundantly cautious about communication with or sending money to unverified persons or organizations. If you have information about this investigation, or feel you have been victimized under a similar circumstance, please contact the Bentonville Police Department or your local law enforcement agency.”
