News Releases

POLICE IDENTIFY CON-MAN

Feb 26th, 2009

File Number: 09-02-1368

On February 9, 2009 at approximately 11:44, Mobile Police responded to a residence located in the 1600 block of Midway Avenue. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, an elderly female who advised officers that three unknown black male subjects came to her residence, posing as law enforcement officers.

The victim continued that the subjects displayed a "star badge" and advised her that they were looking for a subject that was to have allegedly been at her residence. The subjects then asked the victim for currency and guns that may have been located inside her residence because they needed to "scan" them to see if they were stolen.

The victim complied with the subjects and gave them an envelope containing a large amount of US currency and a gun. The subjects then asked the lady a series of questions regarding her bank account and asked her to accompany them downtown for "questioning".

The lady refused and the men gave her the envelope back she had originally presented them and fled the scene.

Investigators with the Mobile Police Department Financial Crimes Unit were assigned this case. Upon further investigation by detectives, the victim was able to identify one of the suspects involved in this incident. The suspect has been identified as Eric Vernardo Odom, DOB 11/25/1956.

Odom has two active warrants for Theft of Property First Degree and Impersonating a Peace Officer out of this jurisdiction. Mobile Police are also currently working in conjunction with surrounding agencies regarding cases similar in nature with suspect Odom as a person of interest.

The whereabouts of Odom are unknown at this time. He is originally from Birmingham, Alabama and has been staying at various hotels in the Mobile and Baldwin County area.

Cpl. Charles D. Bagsby Jr.

Public Information Office

Office: 208-1715

Fax: 208-1758