8-29-19

(Cleveland)- White County authorities say a  48-year old Baldwin man has been arrested after impersonating a Shriner and collecting money.   

Captain Rick Kelley with the White County Sheriff’s Office said in an email that they received a call Wednesday August 28th about a man collecting money at the intersection of Highway 254 and Duncan Bridge Road and that  he  was posing as a Shriner. 

Kelley said he and deputies responded to the location and found the suspect, identified as Tommy Walker,  wearing a Fez collecting money.  According to Kelley,  Walker was unable to produce a dues card from the Yaarab Temple.

“ I contacted the Temple and they confirmed that Tommy Walker was not a Shriner,” said Kelley.   

Walker was immediately arrested and charged with theft by deception.  

He had collected just over $62 in his bucket, said Kelley.  That money will be turned over to the Alpine Shrine Club here in Cleveland.