Here’s a new one: Scammers pose as Toyota Center employees to charge for free parking

Two people are accused of coming up with an enterprising but illegal way to make money at the Toyota Center in Kennewick on Saturday night.

They were collecting money for parking in the overflow gravel parking lot across the street from the venue, according to a police report.

The parking is free and the two men are not employees of the Toyota Center, according to Kennewick police.

Police working at the Los Tigres Del Norte concert were notified by concertgoers about the scam.

They arrested one suspect in the case and say a second suspect also may be charged.

Denickson Duarte Davila, 28, was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of gross misdemeanor theft, misdemeanor second-degree criminal trespass and municipal criminal violation. He posted bail of $2,000 and was released from jail early Sunday morning.

Anyone who parked in the gravel lot and paid for parking is asked to call the Kennewick police at 509-628-0333.

Police cannot return the money as the investigation continues, but are collecting information from victims.

Information was not immediately available about how much was being charged for parking.

This story was originally published November 25, 2024 at 5:00 AM.