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Police: Man Uses Kelly Clarkson's Name To Steal Truck

By Elizabeth Scarborough

POSTED: Friday, May 2, 2008
UPDATED: 6:00 pm CDT May 2, 2008

A man used a Texas-native pop star's name to con a Ford dealership out of a pickup truck, officials told KPRC Local 2 Thursday.


Slideshow: News Around Houston April 28 - May 2

"He had made his appointment and kept it," said Officer Jim Woods with the Houston Police Department's Auto Theft Unit. "He said he was an associate of Kelly Clarkson."

That's right -- Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of "American Idol." She is originally from Burleson, Texas, near Fort Worth.

"He said she was in town looking to buy her sister a brand new Ford F-150," said Woods. "They showed it to him and he said that was exactly what she was looking for."

Police said the man convinced the sales manager to drive the truck to the Westin Galleria hotel, so he could show the pop star her potential purchase in person.

The man and the sales manager valet-parked the truck and went inside, detectives said.

"They sat there a few minutes, talked about the truck, then he got up and said he would go get Clarkson to have her take a look," said Woods.

But he never came back. Police said the man took off with the truck, worth about $50,000.

"The guy was very smooth," said Woods.

Smooth enough to also fool a woman who was staying in the Westin.

"He actually told her his name was Justin Gambino and that he was from New York," said Woods.

She took this photo on her phone while they were spending some time together.

"When she got back to New York, she realized her credit card was missing. She immediately called it in as stolen and noticed there were several purchases made in Houston," said Woods.

She said she hopes the photo will help get him caught before he finds his next victim.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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