Officials with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), serving Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa, is warning businesses in the region that someone impersonating a BBB representative may contact your company with threats of prosecution. Business owners should be aware that these phone calls are not legitimate.

Earlier this week, a man using the name “Drew Aldridge” called a business located in Rapid City, South Dakota. He claimed that he was from the local BBB and informed the business that there were “several cases filed against their business that they had neglected to take care of over the past three years.” He proceeded to say that they now have an “F” rating and claimed there is a local attorney who is interested in prosecuting them. The caller said, “I am letting you know that formal charges may be coming against your business. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and have a good day.”

BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty said “There is nobody employed at BBB with the name ‘Drew Aldridge’ and this company does not have unanswered complaints.” Hegarty said “This appears to be a pretty common scam that occurs all across the country. The callers will claim to be from well-established organizations such as the IRS, FBI and BBB, and they anticipate their message will scare the business enough to call back. Callers reportedly ask for detailed personal and business information. It is likely a phishing scam, designed to get information that can be used for illicit purposes or a means of gathering a list of leads that can be sold to other companies. The business owner may also be told that they can pay a fee to avoid prosecution.”

Representatives from BBB may contact businesses periodically by phone to handle complaints, update BBB Business Reviews or invite select businesses to apply for BBB Accreditation, but they do not threaten legal action. Businesses are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of a BBB representative by calling 800-649-6814. Additionally, any business that believes it has been contacted by someone who may be impersonating someone from BBB is urged to contact BBB with information that may aid in the investigation of this call.

Deputies in Montgomery County arrested a man early this (Wednesday) morning for failing to stop. Authorities say 25-year old Brett Alan Querry, of Red Oak, was charged with OWI/1st offense, Speed by Radar, Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, and Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle, following an incident during which he failed to stop for a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Querry was taken into custody at around 12:45-a.m. without further incident at 150th Street and F Avenue, northwest of Red Oak. He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond. Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted during the incident by officers with the Red Oak Police Department.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene of a hit and run, motor vehicle accident with injuries, Wednesday morning. The accident happened at around 6:30-a.m., in the 1600th block of Highway 59. Officials say a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, driven by Chadwick Sachau, of Denison, was northbound on the highway at the same time a 2000 Chevy Suburban driven by Efrain Chavez-Mendoza, of Denison, was traveling southbound.

Sachau’s car crossed the center line and struck Suburban in the left rear corner panel. Officials say after the collision, Sachua continued north bound, in an attempt to flee the scene. When his car became disabled in the 1700 block of highway 59, Sachua fled on foot. Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, located Sachua a short distance away, and took him into custody.

Sachau was not injured during the incident. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and driving while barred. His bond was set at $2,000. A passenger in the Chavez- Mendoza vehicle, identified as 21-year old Andy Armondo-Casanova, of Denison, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance.

Personnel with the Westphalia Fire Department assisted the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at the accident scene.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, reported one person was hurt during a single-vehicle rollover accident early that same morning. Deputies responded at around 12:35-a.m. to the intersection of 130th Street and 405th Avenue, where they discovered a full-size truck lying on its side in the south ditch.

The driver, 23-year old Darin Profitt, of Shenandoah, was still in the vehicle. The man was extricated from the truck and transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, before being transferred to the Nebraska Medical Center for further treatment. AN investigation indicated alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Fremont County Deputies were assisted at the scene by Shenandoah Police, Deputies from Page County and Shenandoah Fire and Rescue personnel,