Redmond, Oregon -- Throughout the day today, December 8, Redmond Police have received several phone calls from residents reporting they have received phone calls from a male purporting to be "Sergeant Cook" from the Redmond Police Department or the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. The caller advises the person has a warrant for their arrest and to turn themselves into the Redmond Police Department. In some cases, the male caller asks for money. Residents have also reported the male caller, when questioned further about the "warrant," becomes frustrated and insults the person receiving the phone call.

The Redmond Police Department and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office want everyone to know it is not common practice to make phone calls to individuals and request money in lieu of an arrest warrant. If you receive one of these phone calls, please do not provide any personal information, or money, and hang up. Most cell phones and landline telephone companies can block specific phone numbers.

In November 2017, three Southeast U.S. residents were charged by federal authorities for their involvement in a similar scam. An investigation into these phone calls is just beginning, and it is too early to tell if these new calls are somehow related to the recent arrests.