MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A South Memphis man thought he opened the door for MLGW workers, but it turned out to be robbers armed with a gun.
Bars were on the doors and windows at Whitney Webb’s home while his dogs sat outside Tuesday.
However, none of the protective measures Webb used kept him and his girlfriend safe.
“Yeah. I was scared,” Webb said.
Webb was frightened because two men forced their way into his house.
“I got a phone call saying they were Memphis Light Gas and Water,” Webb said.
Webb’s power was shut off last month, and his bill was past due.
Webb’s need for electricity made it easy to fall victim to a man posing as an MLGW worker offering to help work out a payment plan.
“She cracked the door and they barged their way on up in there. It was two of them,” Webb said.
Webb said the men were masked, armed, and dangerous.
“They ordered the girls down, put shotguns on them,” Webb said.
Webb got into a fight with one of the men, knocked off his mask, and realized it was Willie Mitchell.
“They got my billfold, and then they fled the scene,” Webb said.
Webb said Mitchell and the other man, who has not been identified, took off with $2,000.
Neighbors said they fell sorry for Webb, but he should have known not to trust the men posing as MLGW workers.
“I wouldn’t believe you. I wouldn’t believe you…’cause a whole lot of scam going on,” Dorthy Wallace said.
Webb heard about the arrest for the first time when WREG went knocking at his door.
Mitchell is charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.
Webb told WREG he wanted justice served.
“Whatever it takes. He needs to do his time,” Webb said.
Mitchell is expected back in court on Tuesday next week and is being held on a $150,000 bond.