Read Blog

Read Blog
July 4 Road Closures

°

Homepage / Houston News
Text Size

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.
Text Size

Sponsored Links

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
There is no absolute number of drinks per day that defines alcoholism. Learn the behavior and body reactions that constitute alcoholism. More

By designing a great outdoor living space you can quickly enhance the value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. More

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

  • VideosClick to Expand

    • Teen Found Dead In Closet

      July 3, 2009: A father finds his daughter dead inside a closet in their northwest Harris County home. Ryan Korsgard reports.

    • Gas Tanker Rip-Offs Caught On Tape

      July 3, 2009: A gasoline tanker scam is broken up with three arrests after undercover Houston police officers tail a semi with video cameras. Stephen Dean reports.

    • Man Charged In Funeral Home Shooting

      Richard Earl ToussiantJuly 3, 2009: A man is wanted after he allegedly fatally shot a man at a visitation for a deceased child. Mary Benton reports.

    • 16-Year-Old Arrested After Chase

      July 3, 2009: Two police cars crash during an 18-mile chase that results in a teenager's arrest. Mariza Reyes reports.

    • Light Show Displays Patriotism

      July 3, 2009: A Baytown man is putting on a patriotic show at his home to spread some cheer. Ryan Korsgard reports.

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand

    • Faces Of Michael Jackson

      Michael JacksonWhatever the reason, Michael Jackson's face underwent changes from the time he first hit the music scene in 1969 until his death.