| August 25,
2005 |
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| Injured
Family Story a Lie, Detectives Surmise |
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A man who was allegedly
asking citizens for money after telling them his wife and child had been
injured in a car wreck was arrested Monday, after investigators said they found
his claim to be bogus.
Charged with obtaining property by false
pretenses is William Patrick Hannagan, Jr.(right), 32, of 2959 Orchard Lane,
Valdese.
Hannagan has pending warrants in Statesville for |
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similar offenses, according to Det. Gary Ollis of the
Burke County Sheriff's Office. |
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| Ollis said the Sheriff's Office was notified
Monday that a man identifying himself as Bill Hannagan was contacting
acquaintances and telling them the fake wreck story, then asking them for money
so he could go see them. |
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| The duped victims reportedly met with Hannagan
at different times and gave him money and/or filled up his car with gasoline,
Ollis said. |
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| Hannagan was placed under a $5,000 bond and
jailed in Burke County. He will be sent to Iredell County for service of the
Statesville warrants upon making bond in Burke. |
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| "There are those out there who will prey upon
kind-hearted people with pity stories, just for their own gain," said Burke
County Sheriff John T. McDevitt. "We urge citizens to be wary of 'panhandling'
situations, because many in society today have no shame or morals." |
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