IRVING, Texas — Irving police have posted a warning to area business owners after at least eight businesses reported threatening phone calls over a week period.
The caller appears to be targeting Hispanic-owned businesses in an attempt to scam people out of money. The threatening calls were first reported on Feb. 7, with the last one made Tuesday.
In one call made Feb. 8, the caller threatened to "shoot the place up" if demands weren't met, according to an Irving police incident report. In another incident on Feb. 7, police reported $530 was stolen.
"The caller threatens violence if certain demands for payment are not met," read a statement from Irving police Wednesday on their Facebook page. "Stay calm, think through and exercise good judgment. Scammers use deception and play on various emotions as a means to rip you off!"
Authorities haven't revealed whether the caller was male or female but suggested business owners view their crime prevention information page.