Amazon’s Alexa helped catch a wanted Central Florida man who’s made a career off lying and stealing from the elderly. Although his recent reported crime was stopped thanks to the online shopping giant’s virtual assistant.
Russell Bannister, 47, was arrested Dec. 22 and is still in custody at Volusia County Corrections Facility.
He faces multiple charges including organized scheme to defraud, burglary of an occupied dwelling, burglary with assault or battery, fleeing and more, according to Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Bannister reportedly broke into the home of an elderly person’s room at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility on 550 Wilmette Ave. in Ormond Beach, according to a report by the The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
As Bannister stole cash and credit cards, his presence was detected by an Alexa device which alerted a family member of the intruder, The News-Journal reported. The family member arrived to the room and found Bannister still inside, causing him to flee the scene, but Bannister was later found by police.
Bannister told authorities his name was “James Gowgiallo” and he was visiting an aunt in Brooksdale, The News-Journal reported.
Police found he was lying about his aunt and his identity. Then they discovered he was wanted for scamming several elderly Volusia County residents including two elderly residents in Edgewater and an elderly woman in Ormond Beach, The News-Journal reported.
Bannister identified himself to many of his victims as the “hurricane handyman,” offered to do services for them, collected the money and then disappeared without performing any work, according to The News-Journal.
Ormond Beach police have since discovered more victims of Bannister’s reported schemes and are asking anyone who believes they were affected by Bannister to come forward by calling 386-676-3520.
Read the full report at news-journalonline.com