Baldwin man charged with theft by deception for posing as Shriner

(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 in Cleveland.

By: Dean Dyer/WRWH News