Police warn of multi-county pine straw scheme

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — Police said a pine straw scheme targeting homeowners with high- pressure tactics is spreading.
 
It's a scam that peaks in the heart of summer, but Peachtree City police said swindlers are still at it.
 
Authorities said the landscapers are strong-arming customers into paying hundreds, even thousands more than the agreed upon price for pine straw.
 
Police said a homeowner on Interlochen Drive felt threatened enough to drive to the bank, withdraw $1,200 and hand it over.
 
Police said they believe it may be the same group who up-charged a man more than $2,000 in Coweta County.
 
"They were a bit belligerent, made us feel uncomfortable," said resident Pam Conover.
 
Conover said the group took advantage of her as well, even after she told them to get lost.
 
"'No, we weren't interested. Just come back some other time,'" Conover said. "About a week later we came home and our entire yard was pine-strawed. The front, the sides, the back."
 
According to police, the best way to prevent becoming a victim is to get an officer involved.
 
"We can come out and we can resolve the situation try to mediate it as best we can," said Peachtree police officer Ryan Youmans.
 
That's what Frank Russy did when he was in the same situation.
 
"I came back out with $30 and said, 'I'm going to give you $30 and that's it. If you don't like it, I'll call the police right now.' They jumped in the truck and were gone," Russy said.
 
Russy said he even wrote down their license tag.
 
"Be careful. Stand out there and count the bails. That's all you can do," Russy said.