Scam leaves S. Tahoe store short on cash

A bait and switch scam at the South Lake Tahoe Rite-Aid has police warning retail workers to be on the lookout for similar transactions.

Officers said the suspect on March 12 gave the clerk five $20 bills in exchange for a $100 bill. The clerk took his money and gave him a $100 bill.

The suspect turned and began to walk away. He then turned around and pulled out a $10 bill from his waist area and told the clerk she accidentally gave him a $10 bill, officers said.

The clerk gave him another $100 bill and he gave her the $10 bill, causing a loss of $90 for the store. The shortage was discovered when the drawer was counted.

The suspect is described as a black man, 20 to 30 years of age, between 5-8 and 6-foot, weighing 235 to 260 pounds. He has short black hair, was wearing a gray sweat shirt with “Swamp Lager” on front, a white T-shirt and gray pants.