“Where is Your Hitman?”: A 79-Year-Old Lawrence Widow’s Story of Fear and Scam By Laura McCabe LKPD Communications Manager
It began with a frozen computer screen and a fake technical support alert. It ended in the back of a liquor store, with a 79-year-old widow feeding $17,000 in cash into a Bitcoin machine while fearing for her life. The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, hopes sharing her story may prevent another neighbor from falling into the same trap. “I just feel so violated,” she said, her hands still shaking days after the incident. “I’m living in this limbo feeling that I’m still being watched. I didn’t leave the house for two days.”
How it happened As with many scams, it began with psychological manipulation. After her computer locked up, a woman named “Elena,” claiming to be from Microsoft, told the victim her IP address was linked to child pornography. The call was then “transferred” to a man claiming to be with the FCC. The scammers used a “fear and rescue” tactic – telling her the authorities were going to come arrest her without asking questions or allowing her time to tell the truth. The woman gave her another number to call claiming she would be talking to authorities with the Federal Communications Continued on page 5
Officer James Scotti
“Shocking” Update:
LKPD Tests its First EV Patrol Vehicle
By Rich Lockhart
By Laura McCabe
Chief of Police
Welcome to the April edition of The City Beat. We have some incredible stories for you about your police department. First, I need to start with the sad news of the passing of one of your officers, Officer Zachary Garcia-Kerns. Officer Garcia-Kerns was appointed to the Lawrence Police Department in November 2023 after serving with the University of Kansas Police Department. Officer Garcia-Kerns was a steady performing officer who loved being a police officer. He was 28 years old at the time of his death. As a final act of service, his gift of life donation will save the lives of as many as 75 others. I want to personally thank all the members of our community who supported us during this difficult time. We have a true crime thriller for you that occurred right here in Lawrence. A member of our community was the victim of an online scam, and it is a true cautionary tale for all of us. Just remember, if you are ever asked to do something unusual with your money, call us first. You may see an unusual police vehicle on our streets. The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer is the first all-electric vehicle in our patrol fleet. It joins the Mustang Mach E that is being tested as a detective vehicle. Electric vehicles provide some significant benefits to your police department, especially when gas prices go up. Who is ready for some football? No, not the Patrick Mahomes kind of football but the kind that is actually played with your feet. Your police department is ready to welcome the World Cup to Lawrence along with our base camp team, Algeria. You can read about all the preparations that are going into this important sporting event.
LKPD Communications Manager
If you see a patrol vehicle zoom by but don’t hear the traditional roar of an engine, you might be one of the first to notice LKPD’s new electric patrol vehicle in action. The department has officially added a Chevrolet Blazer EV to its fleet, launching a test and evaluation phase to determine if it’s suitable for the constant demands of patrol work. Lt. Rob Murry manages the department’s patrol fleet and says even if the department considers adding more, “We don’t want to run it 24/7, because that’s not how we would actually use them.” Right now, patrol vehicles get “hot swapped”, meaning most run nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – just like police services. Instead, the department is testing a staggered schedule: running the vehicle one shift, then giving it time to charge before re-deployment. Perception vs. Performance For those wondering if an electric vehicle can keep up with the challenges of high-performance work, Lt. Murry has a clear answer: “That EV Blazer is pursuit rated and it is quite capable of doing anything any other patrol car we have can do.” Technology-wise, the Blazer is not quite “Priority 1” call ready. Its in-car computer system isn’t installed. In the meantime, you might find it at the courthouse, around town doing follow up investigations, or at community engagement events. The Blazer joins the Investigation Unit’s Mustang Mach-E and represents a “who knows?” moment for the department. As infrastructure
Lt. Rob Murry
and battery life continue to evolve, these quiet cruisers might become a
more frequent fixture on the streets of Lawrence.
We are PROUD to support our Local Law Enforcement. McDonald’s of Lawrence
April 19, 2026
Locally Owned & Operated Tom & Marilyn Dobski
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