Good deed turns into bad deal

The Canadian security guard is expected to be arraigned today.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- At first, the 23-year-old Canadian who told police last week that he needed money to get home was happy to see the officer who bought the $185 bus ticket for him.
The smile on Andrew Row's face, however, quickly disappeared when he learned he was under arrest on a theft charge.
"He was all happy at first until I placed him under arrest," said Officer Frank Tempesta. "He then told me I ruined his life. He said he is a security guard in Canada and any criminal charge will cause him to be fired."
Row was arrested Monday evening on the theft charge and held overnight at the county jail.
He pleaded innocent this morning in municipal court. Bond was set at $10,000.
Row told the judge he was not familiar with the court system and asked that the court find a way to contact his family since he cannot make international calls from the jail.
Court officials said they will attempt to contact Row's family members. A public defender will also be assigned to the case, court officials said.
"I feel bad he is still here and can't get home," Tempesta, 24, said. "I don't know how long they will keep him here on this."
Tempesta, however, said he held no hard feelings against Row.
"I don't know why he'd scam a cop," Tempesta added.
Said he was stranded
Last Thursday, Row arrived at the police station and met Tempesta. Row told him that he was in town for the Insane Clown Posse concert at Nelson Ledges and that all of his belongings were stolen, including his bus ticket home to Calgary, Canada.
The police officer called several places looking for help for Row and even telephoned Greyhound asking for assistance. When no one was able to help, Tempesta bought the ticket using his credit card.
After the story ran about Tempesta's helping Row, the officer received a call from an employee at Greyhound telling him he had been duped.
"I didn't believe it, not at all," Tempesta said. He noted he was later convinced when he saw a videotape of Row taken at the Greyhound station last Thursday morning. Before going to the police department, Row went to Greyhound and exchanged a $100 bill for five $20s.
When Row came to the police station last Thursday he told Tempesta that he had only $20.
"I thought he was stranded and I tried to help," Tempesta said.
sinkovich@vindy.com