A man who is accused of scamming motorists as old as 92 by falsely claiming they had been involved in traffic crashes and then demanding money from them pleaded not guilty Friday to more than 20 criminal charges.
David Stevens, 43, is charged with 22 counts, including grand theft from an elder, extortion and first-degree residential burglary with a person present, involving alleged crimes against a dozen motorists in the San Fernando Valley, West Hollywood and West Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Stevens is accused of approaching elderly motorists driving alone, telling them they had been involved in a traffic collision and pressuring them to shell out money for alleged vehicle damage or personal injuries, according to Deputy District Attorney John Pomeroy.
Stevens initially was charged in January in connection with allegations he scammed an 85-year-old man. Other charges were added against him after an investigation revealed other alleged victims ranging in age from 62 to 92, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Stevens was taken to a hospital for observation after complaining about his health, authorities said. While at the hospital, he allegedly offered to pay off two police officers if they gave him time to escape, the prosecutor said.
Total losses were estimated at about $38,000, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Stevens was arrested Jan. 28 by the Los Angeles Police Department and has remained jailed since then.
He is due back in a Van Nuys courtroom Aug. 28, for a pretrial hearing. If convicted, he could face up to 18 years and eight months in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
