81-Year-Old Ohio Man Charged with Murder in Uber Driver Shooting Scam
81-year-old Ohio man charged with murder after shooting Uber driver in scam gone wrong. Victim and shooter fell for same scam.
An 81-year-old Ohio man is facing murder charges after a tragic incident involving an Uber driver that resulted in the driver's death. The Clark County Sheriff's Office revealed that both the man and the Uber driver fell victim to scam phone calls, leading to the unfortunate events.
The victim, Loletha Hall, a Black woman, was found shot multiple times near the home of the accused, 81-year-old William Brock, in South Charleston on March 25. It was reported that Brock, who had sustained head and ear injuries, had also called 911 and was found bleeding when the police arrived at the scene. Despite being rushed to a hospital in Dayton, Hall succumbed to her injuries.
The Scam Phone Calls
Investigations revealed that Brock had received a fraudulent call regarding an incarcerated relative, wherein he was coerced into making a payment of $12,000 to secure the release of his nephew. The caller had threatened both Brock and his nephew, compelling him to comply with the demands.
Subsequently, the same caller, or an accomplice, engaged the Uber driver, Loletha Hall, to pick up a package from Brock's residence, under false pretenses. The sheriff's office emphasized that Hall was unaware of the threats faced by Brock.
Despite Hall being unarmed and in a vulnerable state due to medical conditions, Brock allegedly held her at gunpoint and interrogated her about the individuals behind the scam phone calls. He also confiscated Hall's phone and prevented her from leaving the premises.
Tragically, when Hall attempted to retreat to her vehicle, Brock purportedly shot her, leading to a scuffle at the door of her vehicle, before firing two more shots. After the incident, Brock proceeded to call 911.
Brock is currently facing charges of murder, which could result in a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, as indicated by the court records. Additionally, authorities are contemplating further charges against him. Despite entering a plea of not guilty, Brock has been assigned a bail amount of $200,000 according to court records.
In light of this tragic event, the Clark County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning to residents, especially the elderly, advising them that law enforcement agencies or courts would never solicit cash for bail in the manner witnessed in this case. They urged residents to exercise caution when unexpectedly contacted by individuals claiming to be relatives incarcerated in correctional facilities.
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