Couple indicted in senior, Asian scam

The married couple accused of duping senior citizens and Asians out of more than $150,000 in a "pigeon drop" scam were indicted this week on multiple charges, including kidnapping, robbery of an elderly person and obtaining money under false pretenses.

A Clark County grand jury indicted William Mitchell, 53, and Rotzilyn Mitchell, 51, who were arrested on Feb. 10 on dozens of charges. Authorities accuse the couple of scamming at least 40 victims out of between $200 and $15,000 each.

Police had been searching for the couple for years but didn't know their identity.

Authorities said Rotzilyn Mitchell would tell prospective victims she worked for a law firm. She would approach someone who was alone and tell the person that she had found between $50,000 and $150,000.

William Mitchell then would approach his wife and act as if he didn't know her, and he would tell the target he was a real estate agent, police said. The Mitchells would convince their target that the three could split the money after they paid a hefty amount in attorneys fees in order to legally secure it, police said.

One person entrusted the couple, who was typically well-dressed, with $15,000, police said.

Police said William Mitchell often would drive the victims to the bank or their home in order to obtain the deposit.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.