The woman's name was Kimberly Upright but the restaurant manager had a gut feeling something was wrong.
Upright, 45, told the manager of Sweet Tomatoes at 1902 N. Dale Mabry Highway that she belonged to a charity called the Disabled Police Officers of America. She gave the manager a pledge form, a letter and asked for cash, police say.
The manager became suspicious and called police. Upright and Todd Norwood, a man who was with her at the restaurant, left when they saw officers arrive.
Upright and Norwood were arrested Thursday after detectives tracked them down at their home and learned the couple were using the charity's name to bilk local businesses out of money, police say.
When officers found them, the couple were getting ready to leave for Louisiana, detectives say.
Upright and Norwood, 46, both of 5704 Candlewick Court, Tampa, were charged with organized fraud, petty theft and unlawful use of a badge. They are each being held on $5,250 bail at Orient Road Jail.
The charity is real and its officials told investigators that Upright and Norwood were wanted in Orlando for using the organization's name to run the same scam, police say.
When Upright was questioned by detectives, she said that she and Norwood have gone to hundreds of businesses to solicit for the charity, according to police.
Detectives say they are concerned that if the couple make bail and are released from jail, they will continue asking for money on behalf of the charity.
Businesses that may have been solicited by Upright and Norwood are asked to call the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130.
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