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3 Accused Of Roofing Scam Targeting San Jose Seniors

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Two men and a woman suspected of swindling the elderly through a bogus roof repair scam were arrested in San Jose last week, police announced Tuesday.

Harriet M. Gregg, 60, John H. Gregg, 63, and John M. Gregg, 21, were arrested on suspicion of defrauding at least two San Jose residents, police said.

All three suspects were booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of elderly fraud and other related felony charges.

Authorities are investigating the fraud targeting elderly residents of San Jose mobile home communities in which the suspects promise to seal a trailer's roof for about $250.

When the suspects complete the work, however, they request a sum that is several times larger, sometimes as high as $1,850, police said.

According to police, the suspects, while at the victim's residence, may pilfer checks, jewelry and other personal belongings from within the home.

So far, police have identified a 90-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman as victims in the scam. Investigators believe that there are other victims who have not stepped forward.

Police are asking that anyone who may have been a victim of this scam contact Detective Mark Huiskens of the department's financial crimes unit at (408) 277-4521.

Crime reports can be filed by calling the 24-hour police dispatch center at (408) 277-8900. Anonymous callers can call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP (7867) or visit svcrimestoppers.org.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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