FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A man accused of helping run a multi-state scam that tricked victims with fake arrest warrants is now in custody in St. Lucie County.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that Robert Reyes, 39, of Norcross, Georgia, was arrested after a multi-jurisdictional investigation led by the SLCSO Criminal Investigations Division.
Detectives say Reyes served as a key financial conduit for an organized criminal network responsible for carrying out the scheme.
A multi-state investigation led to the arrest of Robert Reyes in a fake warrant scheme. (SLC Jail)
Reyes was extradited to St. Lucie County and is facing charges of organized fraud under $20,000, third-degree grand theft, and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators say the group relied on a carefully scripted phone scam designed to create panic. SLCSO said victims were contacted by people posing as high-ranking members of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and told that they, or a loved one, missed a mandatory court appearance and now had an active warrant for their arrest.
From there, the scammers allegedly pressured victims to make immediate payments to avoid being taken into custody, SLCSO said.
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“These scammers hide behind phones and fake identities while stealing from innocent people,” Sheriff Richard Del Toro said.
Let this arrest send a clear message: St. Lucie County is the wrong county to target, and we will relentlessly pursue anyone who victimizes our community.”
The sheriff’s office is reminding residents that law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone to resolve warrants or avoid arrest.
The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives say additional arrests are possible. Reyes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.