Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation   Stan Florence  Director   Jessica Brown Public Information Director

08/25/11                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Con Artist Scams Del City Business Out of Thousands

The Del City Police Department needs the public’s help to find a woman they believe is part of a serial, cross country group of thieves. August 17, a roaming tribe of con artists struck the Wal-Mart in Del City, stealing $4,300. The woman in this short-change scam is caught on surveillance camera confusing the clerk behind the register about the amount of change owed her after a small purchase. The video clearly shows the suspect putting her hand in the till, pulling out a fist full of cash, waving it, and, with the sleight of hand, pocketing much of it. You can watch that video by logging on to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kWTguhGENM, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx9CIA9a7Vo, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cAgyZv5s4. Three videos give you several angles.

Since this video does not clearly show the woman’s face, OSBI Forensic Artist Harvey Pratt has sketched a witness description of the thief. She is described as a Hispanic woman, approximately 40 years old, 5’10” tall, weighing about 180 pounds with brown eyes and black, straight, shoulder length hair. She wore heavy makeup, lip and eye liner, and appeared to have all her teeth. She wore a dark colored dress, black shoes, and a white, wide-brimmed, cloth hat. She was accompanied by three Hispanic males. You can see several in the video.

Authorities believe this suspect is related to other very similar crimes committed across the nation and even featured on America’s Most Wanted. A video on AMW’s website shows the same scam if you search the name Walentina Knapek. Her accomplice is a younger female – possibly the suspect in Del City’s crime.

If anyone has information about either woman or this band of thieves, please call the Del City Police Department at 405-671-2857.