A man going by the name of “Pat Love” is facing charges for allegedly scamming several people for about $9,000, according to police reports.
Rotterdam police on Thursday, June 7, arrested Patrick M. Walsh, 50, of 3048 Edgewood Avenue in Rotterdam, and charged him with grand larceny in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree, both felonies, as well as scheme to defraud in the second degree and petit larceny, both misdemeanors. He was remanded to Schenectady County jail.
Police said Walsh allegedly made multiple promises and transactions with several victims and did not make good on any of them.
Police said Walsh befriended a town resident earlier this year and allegedly claimed to own a vehicle repossession business. Walsh then offered jobs to the victim’s family members and their friends, according to police. Walsh offered jobs to four individuals and allegedly claimed they would need to pay him $150 each for a repossession license before starting work, police said.
Walsh also allegedly claimed to have an uncle who owned a “discount scratch and dent appliance store,” police said, and agreed to sell the victim a washer and dryer set for $850.
Also, Walsh would arrive at the residences of victims residence driving various vehicles and allegedly claimed they were repossessions and offered to sell them at “deeply discounted” prices, according to police. The victim’s son allegedly paid Walsh $8,000 for a 2009 Ford Mustang GT Convertible.
The investigation is ongoing, said police on Tuesday, June 12, with additional charges are possible.
Police are urging anyone with information regarding the case or other potential victims to contact the Rotterdam Detective Division at 355-7397.
