After a raffle ticket scam was made public Monday afternoon, police received numerous citizen tips. One such tip led Wellington City Police right to fraud suspect, Ricky Olsen. Police arrested Olsen Aug. 5 and booked him into the Carbon County Jail charged with theft by deception and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Olsen was the subject of a recent investigation involving raffle ticket sales to local residents. Wellington City Police Officer, Chad Feichko explained that Olsen had been selling tickets for over two weeks throughout Price and Wellington. Olsen claimed that ticket sales would support the family of Levi Armstrong who passed away July 20 due to injuries sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident near Joe’s Valley. According to Feichko, Armstrong’s family had no involvement in Olsen’s endeavor.
Local citizens responded immediately after hearing news of the fundraising scam. Calls to law enforcement pointed officers in the right direction. “Olsen was apprehended due to information we received from a citizen,” Feichko explained. “After we located the address we were given, we obtained permission from the property owner and found the suspect hiding in a trailer in Wellington.”
Because Olsen had his 13-year-old son assist him with ticket sales, police have charged him with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. “There are possibly more charges that will stem from this case,” explained Feichko. “When we arrested Olsen, he also had several warrants out on him.”
Officer Feichko asks that anyone who purchased raffle tickets claiming to benefit the Armstrong family contact police. “This is an ongoing investigation and any new information we get will help us build the case,” Feichko stated.
To report information regarding this case, contact Wellington police at either 637-5213 or through public dispatch at 637-0890.