(May 16, 2008) -- LBPD says it's arrested a husband and wife team, along with a third suspect, as part of an on-going investigation of "theft with false pretense" incidents that took place in ELB near busy shopping centers and detectives believe there could be additional victims.

In a release, police say the five incidents took place from February-April April 2008...with thousands of dollars and one car stolen from the victims.

In its release, LBPD says:

In order to gain the victim's confidence, the suspects posed as "Africans/Jamaicans" with accents and told the victims they were here on a temporary Visa and needed to return to their country. In some cases, the victims were shown a letter from Africa and a large sum of money they had to donate to an "African Church," before they began soliciting the victim for a ride to the church.

As the victims were asked for proof that they could be trusted, a second suspect, posing as innocent bystander who had overheard their conversation approached. The second suspect would emphasize that they could be trusted, and to prove it would offer to drive to their own bank to pull out a significant amount of money.

Next, they would drive to the victim's bank so a cash withdraw could be made giving the victim the chance to prove their trust worthiness. When the victim showed the suspect the money, the suspect would hold the bundle of money, pray, and then "switch" the real money with fake money before returning it. Once the suspects left, the victims would open the money bindle discovering only fake money or rolled up paper.

Long Beach Police Forgery/Fraud detectives arrested three individuals who they believe are responsible for at least the five incidents, and also believe that additional victims may exist.

The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and charges of grand theft, and thefts by false pretenses were filed against all three suspects.

The suspects have been identified as follows:

Susp #1 - 52-year-old Dennis Curry of San Diego / male Black, 6'3" 180 lbs., bald

Susp #2 - 53-year-old Vickie Curry of San Diego / female Black, 5'6," 210 lbs, brown hair and eyes

Susp #3 - 50-year-old Gloria Henderson of Los Angeles / female Black, 5'1," 130 lbs., brown hair & eyes

Anyone who has fallen victim to this scam, who hasn't yet reported the incident to police, is asked to contact Detective J. Macias or Investigator S. Chap at (562) 570-7330.