'Pavers' Try To Bilk Elderly Woman Of $7,000

Authorities are warning the public about a band of men posing as a "paving crew" who tried to bully a 77-year-old woman into paying them for "work" done on her driveway.

The suspects knocked on the victim's door Friday and asked her if they could pave the driveway to her Tayco Drive home, off Sunshine Grove Road.

The victim told them that she could not afford the work, but the four men went ahead and threw some black gravel on the driveway, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

The men went into the victim's home and convinced her to go to her bank and withdraw the $7,000 she supposedly owed them, the release states. A teller called law enforcement for the woman.

The victim told investigators that the suspects were driving a dump truck with an orange cab, a yellow rear and a black bottom. It was towing some type of equipment trailer. Accompanying the dump truck were two white pickup trucks.

Investigators believe this is part of a transient criminal group known as the Travelers and warn that this type of scam has happened for years.

If anyone has information about this group they are asked to call sheriff's Detective Ed Ciccone at 354-754-6830.

The sheriff's office asks the public to be cautious about doing business with people who knock on your door and to not allow strangers into your house.

If you feel threatened or someone enters your home uninvited immediately call 911.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 352-754-6830, or for anonymous tips worth up to $1,000, call 1-866-990-TIPS (8477).