Police: Man Uses Kelly Clarkson's Name To Steal Truck
By Elizabeth Scarborough
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.
Copyright 2008 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.






A mother talks about the loss of her sons who died in a plane crash with their grandfather, KPRC Local 2 reports.
A U.S. Army hospital spokesman says the man suspected in a deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, is conscious and able to talk.
A welfare check on a family in Cleveland leads to the discovery of four bodies in an apparent
triple murder and a suicide.
Police find a woman dead inside a northeast Houston business after customers couldn't find anyone at the front desk, KPRC Local 2 reports.
A man is arrested and charged in connection with his 81-year-old grandfather's death, KPRC Local 2 reports.
Nov. 8, 2009: Grief counselors will help students in Pearland after two brothers died in a plane crash along with their grandfather. Lisa Baldwin reports.
Anthony Yanez
One of 2 police officers who confronted the alleged Fort Hood killer says he shot Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan before kicking the man's weapon away, handcuffing him and ending the nation's worst killing spree on a military base.
Nov. 7 2009: A traffic tie-up is expected to impact traffic into the work week.
May 8, 2008: A giant sinkhole in Liberty County is swallowing everything in its path, KPRC Local 2 reports.
The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included several people who shared the same profession as the alleged shooter. Here is a look at the victims.
Check out the Houston Zoo for family fun for kids of all ages.
Viewers send their favorite pictures to KPRC Local 2 meteorologists to feature on air. Send your submission to hotshots@click2houston.com and watch Local 2 to see if it's picked.
A soldier opened fire at a U.S. Army base in Fort Hood, Texas, on Thursday, unleashing a stream of gunfire that left 13 people dead and 31 wounded.
The Wings Over Houston Airshow was held at Ellington Field on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2009. More than 80,000 people attended. Check out some of the viewers who visited the KPRC booth.


















