Quick change artists extort local businesses

The IU Police Department received two reports from victims of "quick change artists" June 26.\nThe two locations that reported the crime were Dagwood's Deli, 1799 E. 10th St. and Crosstown Village Pantry, at the corner of 10th and Union Streets. Both locations are located directly across from the IU campus.\nAccording to IUPD, one of the suspects engaged one clerk in a conversation about needing specific denominations of bills for gambling and during the transaction of getting change was able to leave with more money than the suspect gave the clerk.\nAnother clerk was asked to keep changing different bills for smaller denominations after the suspect had received change from purchasing lottery tickets. After this transaction, the clerk was also left with less money than was originally given by the suspect, according to the IUPD.\nA total of about $150 was missing after the clerks realized the scam had taken place.\nThe IUPD believe these suspects have engaged in this type of activity for several years in the Bloomington area and said it believes they could identify them. \nStore videos have been given to the IUPD, and photos and a segment of the video can be viewed on the department's Web site, www.indiana.edu/~iupd.\nThe IUPD encourages anyone who believes they have been a witness to this crime, or thinks they have information that would assist with the investigation, contact the IUPD at 855-3075 or by e-mail at iupd@indiana.edu.