Accident investigators from the Savannah-Chatham police department have charged Hykeen Youmans, 24, with hit and run/leaving the scene after an 11-year-old boy was struck by a car Saturday night.
Malik Pridgen, 11, was transported to Memorial University Medical Center with serious injuries after being struck near East 35th and LeGrande streets just before 8:30 p.m., said Julian Miller, metro police spokesman.
Youmans was cited and given a date to appear in court.
Metro’s Latino outreach program reactivates
The Savannah-Chatham police department’s Latino Officer Outreach Program, or LOOP, will relaunch May 3 at the Cinco De Mayo Festival on the city’s southside.
LOOP is a specialized unit consisting of metro officers volunteering their services to the area’s Latino population, said Eunicia Baker, police spokeswoman. The unit was established in 2007 but promotions and other factors led to it being disbanded over time.
“We’re very excited about the return of this program,” police Maj. Dean [filtered word]erstrom, who commands metro’s Special Operations units, said in a news release. “In the past, LOOP was a great resource for Spanish-speaking citizens in our community. We’re looking forward to seeing this program and its services continue for our citizens.”
The unit was created in response to the growing need for Spanish-speaking metro officers to translate during investigations, Baker said.
Currently, LOOP has six members assigned to various units and shifts within the police department.
The festival, set from noon to 8 p.m. at Lake Mayer Community Park off Montgomery Crossroad, is a collaboration between community outreach organizations including the Latino Coalition of Savannah and Youth for a Cleaner Environment.
It will feature an hour-long presentation of metro’s K-9, mounted patrol and motorcycle units beginning at 3 p.m. L.O.O.P. representatives also will participate in a public safety panel discussion from 4-5 p.m. The festival will include music, dancing and games. It is free and open to the public.
“The Cinco De Mayo Festival is the perfect opportunity for Metro’s LOOP members to make our presence known to Chatham County’s native Spanish-speakers,” officer Enrique Marquez, the program’s coordinator, said in the news release. “Our goal is to make all members of this community feel safe and included in every service offered by (the police department).”
Scam artists target Savannah grandparents
Financial crimes detectives are advising the public of a scam designed to bilk grandparents of their savings under the mistaken belief they are helping their grandchildren.
Savannah-Chatham police have received reports of callers pretending to be grandchildren of victims, claiming they were involved in an accident, arrested for DUI or other situations invoking a sense of urgency. They have a reason for sounding different (nose broken in crash) and beg the grandparent for confidentiality, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
The victims are asked to send money to a specific attorney via money cards such as Green Dot or wire transactions. Afterward, they discover the caller was impersonating the grandchild, who they learn had no such issues.
The scam is frustrating to both the victims and investigators because many originate in other countries and are all but impossible to trace.
“Many victims do not report these incidents for fear of embarrassment,” said Interim Chief Julie Tolbert. “Others have unrealistic hopes that we will be able to find these perpetrators and perhaps return the funds. The worst part of this scam is that it takes advantage of people who often are on fixed incomes and reach into irreplaceable savings under the false impression they are helping a loved one.”
Financial Crimes Sgt. Jeramy Henry offered these tips to help avoid falling victim to such thefts:
• Ask the “grandchild” or requesting family member a question only they would know.
• Contact the requesting family member via methods available before the call for help. (Do not call the family member back using a number they just provided.)
• Contact the family of the “grandchild” prior to sending any money to check on the grandchild’s welfare regardless of what the “grandchild” requests.
• Avoid providing funds through wire transfers or money cards. (No reputable business would require such payment.)
• The victim should request the actual police or sheriff’s department where the grandchild is to verify the information provided by the callers.
• React thoughtfully, never in haste.
Henry also said victims should file reports with authorities for any criminal act.
Questions can be directed to the metro’s Financial Crimes Unit at 912-651-6735 or via fax at 912-644-5948.