Man allegedly using Woodmore victims to scam people for money

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 11/24/16. Motorists pass a collection of teddy bears, mementos, and balloons placed at the site of a fatal school bus crash on Talley Road on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The makeshift memorial to victims of the Monday crash, which killed 6 Woodmore Elementary students and injured dozens more, has grown since the road was reopened Tuesday.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 11/24/16. Motorists pass a collection of teddy bears, mementos, and balloons placed at the site of a fatal school bus crash on Talley Road on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The makeshift memorial to victims of the Monday crash, which killed 6 Woodmore Elementary students and injured dozens more, has grown since the road was reopened Tuesday.

Police are on the lookout for a black male in his 20's or 30's after he allegedly attempted to collect money for Woodmore Elementary and the victims in the Talley Road school bus crash.

Over the weekend, primarily between noon and 6:00 p.m., the man was seen in front of TJ Maxx at the Northgate Mall. As police tried to approach him, he ran to a blue van and left the premises. TJ Maxx management and staff have been advised to call police when they seem him again.

Officers are working to determine the credibility of his intentions and actions.

The Better Business Bureau is warning donors to be on the lookout for questionable solicitors and scammers in the wake of this tragedy. If you notice or identify someone that seems questionable contact Chattanooga Police immediately at 423-698-2525.

Monetary donations can be made to "The Woodmore Fund" payable to the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga with "Woodmore" in the memo line. Checks can be dropped off or mailed to 630 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. You can also text "Woodmore" to 91999 or call 2-1-1 (423-265-8000). Donations can be made online through this link: https://cfgc.caritas247.com/Donate.aspx?dcid=WMF.

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