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Alleged fraudster arrested after targeting off duty Hamilton police officer

The Toronto man tried to sell a piece of jewelry for $300 to an off-duty Hamilton police officer out shopping with his family.
The Toronto man tried to sell a piece of jewelry for $300 to an off-duty Hamilton police officer out shopping with his family. Nick Westoll / File / Global News

HAMILTON – A 29-year-old Toronto man is facing a fraud charge after allegedly trying to sell fake gold jewelry to an off-duty police officer.

Hamilton police say the officer was at a shopping mall with his family on Monday afternoon when the man allegedly approached him at his car.

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They say the man told the officer he was out of gas and offered to sell him a piece of supposedly solid gold jewelry for $300, an offer the cop refused.

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When the man allegedly tried to resume the conversation, this time by referring to the officer’s kids, the officer identified himself as a member of the local force.

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At that point, the suspect tried to flee but was soon arrested and charged with one count of fraud under $5,000.

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Police say the jewelry he was trying to sell was assessed and valued at between $2 and $10.

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