Rossford police honor carryout owner Mohammed Tahar for helping foil $1,500 Bitcoin scam

At the Sept. 22 Rossford City Council meeting, Police Chief Kitzler presented a meritorious conduct medal to Mohammed Tahar, owner of Rossford Carryout, for intervening when he suspected an elderly customer was the target of a financial scam.

Chief Kitzler read a synopsis submitted by Sergeant Brandon Lewis that described an incident on Aug. 13, 2025 at about 11:55 a.m. according to the synopsis. Mohammed Tahar told officers that a woman in his store appeared to be communicating with someone attempting to defraud her. Police reported the woman had withdrawn $1,500 from her bank account and was preparing to send it via a Bitcoin machine when officers arrived.

"Mister Tahar's quick thinking and actions that day prevented the scam and a significant financial loss to the victim," Chief Kitzler said at the meeting, presenting the award. The officers on scene told Tahar and council they were able to convince the woman the transaction was fraudulent and to contact family; officers learned the woman was likely in the early stages of dementia and provided information to the family about ways to avoid similar incidents.

The certificate and remarks credited Tahar's prompt identification of the suspicious activity and his decision to contact the police, which staff said stopped the fraudulent transfer before any money left the victim's control. Sergeant Brandon Lewis and Officer Demanski were listed in the synopsis as responding officers who assisted at the scene. Council members and staff praised Tahar during council remarks.

The presentation highlighted cooperation between local businesses and police in spotting and stopping scams targeting older residents; no criminal charges were described in the meeting record, and the action taken was credited with preventing financial harm to the victim.