Hit-and-Run Scammer Gets Jail Time

A man police say tried to extort $5,000 out of a 67-year-old man for a hit-and-run collision that never occurred was sentenced in January to 180 days in Santa Barbara County Jail and three years of probation, according to the prosecutor in the case.

Matthew Brown pleaded to felony attempted extortion related to the August 2012 incident.

According to police, the victim was driving his vehicle when Brown stopped him, claiming the man had hit him as he crossed the street on foot. Brown also claimed it was a hit-and-run because the man didn’t stop. The two exchanged information, even though the 67-year-old didn’t believe a collision had occurred, police said. Brown later tried to get $5,000 cash out of the victim, telling him he didn’t want the police or insurance companies to get involved.

Brown reportedly told the victim that he would go to jail if he didn’t pay him the $5,000.