Clerks, beware: Fast-talking scammers are getting more change than they deserve

Clerks, beware: Fast-talking scammers are getting more change than they deserve St. Paul police are warning stores about "quick-change" scam artists who are tricking cashiers into giving them more change than they're owed.

An alert issued Tuesday said the scam is becoming more prevalent in the metro area. It involves a con artist who uses a large bill to pay for purchases, then confuses the cashier by changing his or her mind several times about how their change should be returned. The scam typically involves two or more people, with the accomplices distracting workers and customers by asking unrelated questions while the scam is underway, the alert said.

Police offer these tips: Be wary of customers who pay for small items with large bills, especially a $50 or $100 bill. Cashiers should count all money carefully, focus on making correct change, and keep large bills on the register until the transaction is complete.

CHAO XIONG

Gunman gets 17 years for attempted murder A 22-year-old Richfield man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for an April 2009 gang-related shooting in south Minneapolis in which he also fired toward police officers.

Ibrahim Abdullahi Mohamed was sentenced in Hennepin County District Court following his conviction on charges of attempted murder and first-degree assault. The conviction stems from an incident last April 19 in the 800 block of E. 22nd Street, in which Mohamed fired toward four men who were being questioned by police, striking one of the men in the chest, leg and elbow. Officers exchanged gunfire with Mohamed, but neither they nor he were hit.

Witnesses identified Mohamed as the man running from the scene, throwing away a gun and outer clothing. Mohamed initially was charged with five counts of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault.

Brainerd man killed when his SUV rear-ends a delivery truck at high speed A 56-year-old man from Brainerd was killed late Monday afternoon when his SUV rear-ended a delivery truck.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported that Larry McCulley died about 5:50 p.m. as he was driving east on Hwy. 210 in Brainerd.

The delivery truck driver, who was not injured, was preparing to turn left onto Hwy. 25 when his truck was hit from behind by the SUV, which the patrol reported was moving "at a high rate of speed."

The impact of the crash sent McCulley's car spinning into the parking lot of the East Brainerd Mall, the patrol reported. He was dead at the scene.