Man Arrested For Allegedly Conning Seniors In AAA Scam

WOODLAND HILLS (CBS) — An alleged scam artist who preyed on elderly victims using a disabled vehicle con has been arrested by detectives.

Larry Marco, 36, of Woodland Hills, who also uses the name Larry McNelty, was arrested for that alleged scam on March 2, according to Los Angeles police.

Since his arrest, five elderly victims of the disabled car scam were identified. The suspect was re-arrested on March 9 and charged with multiple counts of elder abuse and theft by trickery. He was released Friday on $395,000 bail, according to police.

Marco/McNelty would approach his elderly victims as they were entering their vehicle, police said. He would then tell them they shouldn't drive and point to the ground where an unknown liquid was present near a rear tire. Presumably the liquid was brake fluid, according to police.

Marco/McNelty would allegedly tell his victims he was a mechanic and also posed as an Automobile Association of America employee, wearing fictitious AAA shirts and badges, police said.

The suspect also allegedly stole AAA magnets, with these items and fictitious work orders, he would try and get money from his intended victims, according to police.

Marco/McNelty has an extensive criminal history with cases currently pending in Santa Barbara and Beverly Hills, police said.

According to Los Angeles County Jail records, Marco/McNelty was jailed on Jan. 24 for unspecified felony charges and released Jan. 25 on $50,000 bail.

He was also arrested on Feb. 2 on unspecified charges and released on Feb. 5.

Marco/McNelty is scheduled to appear in Van Nuys Superior Court on April 4 and Beverly Hills Superior Court on April 5 on separate cases.

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