2 arrested for trying to sell gift cards to elderly, Morro Bay police issue scam warning

MORRO BAY, Calif. - Two people from the Central Valley were arrested in Morro Bay this week after police say they were trying to sell gift cards to elderly people.

Police were called to the Cypress Plaza Shopping Center around 11 a.m. Wednesday. Officers were told a man and woman in a white sedan were trying to sell gift cards and were mostly approaching elderly people. The person who called police believed the two might have been trying to scam people.

Officers arrived and found the sedan driving through the parking lot. They stopped the driver and contacted both people inside.

Police say the driver was identified as Leo Joshua Alberti, 38, of Tulare. Officers say he was driving with a suspended driver's license for prior convictions of DUI. They say he was also in possession of about 15 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Police say the passenger was identified as Tracie Marie Wooster, 26, of Tulare. Officers say she was in possession of drug paraphernalia and was under the influence of a controlled substance.

Police say she admitted to trying to sell a gift card she received legitimately.

The police department says there has been an increase in the number of criminals purchasing gift cards with stolen credit or debit cards and then selling the gift cards for cash.

Police say it's important to be careful about buying gift cards from strangers, and if you see suspicious activity, you should contact your local police department.