A Mulberry couple was arrested Tuesday, charged with posing as a law enforcement officer, petit theft and fraud, Polk County deputies said.
Earl Lee Tournear, 46, and Heather Lea Lockyer, 41, who both reside in the 100 block of 10th Drive NW, Mulberry, were booked into the Polk County Jail.
Deputies say, a series of suspicious phone calls made by Tournear to the SUNOCO convenience store located at 1285 North Church Avenue, Mulberry, took place on Tuesday. He claimed to be associated with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Tournear identified himself as “Office Rogers” with the Sheriff’s Office to the store clerk who answered, saying he was trying to “raise funds” for the agency.
When the owner of the convenience store took the phone, Tournear again, identified himself as “Officer Rogers” and asked about a donation.
Deputies say, Tournear told the store owner he would send a “female employee” to collect the donation, after the store owner, who became suspicious said, it should be collected in person.
Heather Lockyer went to store to donation, complete with a receipt book and other paraphernalia which appeared to be associated with the Sheriff’s Office, but the owner was away.
“Officer Rogers” called repeatedly to inquire whether the owner had returned.
Through their investigation deputies were able to track down Tournear and Lockyer, after initiating a traffic stop.
Deputies say, Tournear is employed by a fundraising business as a telemarketer. He was not authorized to contact any business inside of Polk County, his employer Onit Enterprises said, nor was he authorized to collect donations.
Lockyer is not employed by Onit Enterprises.
Both Tournear and Lockyer face several charges, including impersonating a police officer and fraud. They were booked into the Polk County Jail, without incident.
