GRAHAM, N.C. — Alamance County sheriff's deputies said two men posed as South Carolina detectives and threatened to arrest an elderly man if he did not wire a large sum of money to an unknown account.
Deputies said one of the suspects, identified as Christopher Jason Calhoun, 45, of South Carolina, drove the victim to First Horizon Bank in Graham on Wednesday afternoon to try to get the money. A bank teller called the sheriff's office about possible fraud before the victim withdrew any cash, according to a release from the sheriff's office.
Before that, investigators said Calhoun got the vehicle from a local car dealership under the pretense of a test drive. Officials said Calhoun's alleged accomplice, Steven Ray Timmons, 30, of South Carolina, was waiting for him at the dealership. Deputies said Timmons also called the victim from the dealership and claimed to be a detective.
Investigators said they recovered a pickup truck that the men drove to the dealership, but Timmons left on foot. Deputies said if you see him, don't approach him, just call 911. He could be armed with a handgun. He reportedly has tattoos covering both arms.
Calhoun was arrested and taken to Alamance County Detention Center. He was given a $175,000 bond.
Both men face several charges including felony extortion, felony second-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor impersonating a law enforcement officer. Deputies said Calhoun and Timmons have records in South Carolina and North Carolina near the Charlotte area.
