By Shannon Lukens. Photos from Craig courtesy Kristen Clayburn.

 

The Strong Tower group out of Texas came back to visit Northwest Colorado this week.  They were at the Walmart in Craig. But then Craig Police came early this morning and talked to management at Walmart. Here’s Craig Police Chief Mike Cochran.

“So the group was there, soliciting funds, and the management at Walmart did not want them trespassed, however they did not want them there.”

 

So Craig Police didn’t file formal trespass charges, but they did ask the group to leave, which Chief Cochran says they did right away. Officers watched as they packed up and left.

Chief Cochran says to be extremely cautious who you are donating your money to, especially if they say they’re giving the money to a group within Moffat County, but you don’t recognize them.

“So money is very difficult to come by today and we still have very caring people in this community and they don’t deserve to be ripped off.”

 

Chief Cochran said there is also a scam going around where people pretend to be with local law enforcement.

“That pretend to be people with the law enforcement agency requesting money be sent for a warrant or a missed court date, so always confirm where you’re donating your money.”

 

Strong Tower is the same group that was at the Walmart in Steamboat in September. They told people that they were raising money for the “safe house in Steamboat.” Steamboat Springs Police officers came, along with the person who runs the safe house and discovered that the money is going back to Texas, and not staying in the community. Chief Mark Beckett said Strong Tower didn’t have the proper licensing with the city to be there so they were told to leave there, too.

Chief Beckett added, “Always be knowledgeable about any group you donate money to.”

 

Story from Sept. 6, 2023 — STEAMBOAT SPRINGS POLICE TELL GROUP TO LEAVE IN FRONT OF WALMART