Crime Brief: Quick Change Scammer Strikes; Fake Guns Cause Panic

Quick Change Artist Hits McDonald’s

A quick change artist tricked a McDonald’s employee out of $96 Monday.

Police said a man bought a cup of coffee using a $50 bill, but he wasn’t given the correct change.

The man then bought another cup of coffee but said he didn’t want to use the $50 bill he had just used, instead he gave the cashier several small bills and asked her to give him five $20 bills.

The cashier became confused and gave the man five $20 bills and took his singles.

When the cashier realized that she had been tricked, McDonald’s employees noticed the register was short $96.09.

The man left in a maroon Taurus. He was described as white, in his late forties to early fifties and was wearing sunglasses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Utica Police Department at 586-731-2345.

Teen Detained for Carrying Fake Guns

On Wednesday, the Utica Police stopped a group of men in a vehicle on Auburn Road after reports that they had guns in their vehicle.

Police, with guns drawn pulled three men, ages, 21, 22 and 16 from the vehicle.

Inside their vehicle, police found four Airsoft guns, a fake rifle and three fake handguns.

The men told police they were using the fake guns to film a public service announcement about alcohol for a school project.

The adults in the group were given the toy guns back, and the juvenile was detained until a parent arrived.

No charges were filed, but police said the men’s actions could have resulted in a tragic situation.