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Jed Boal ReportingA smooth-talking scam artist, who took several BYU students for a ride, has worked his game in Utah before. New developments have been uncovered since we fist told you about this cut-and-run con man.
He was a great guy. He was funny. Everybody liked Joshuah Shelley, that is right up until the time he disappeared and his victims realized they'd been conned.
We told you about three victims several days ago. Another victim was duped five years ago.
Three BYU students who opened their home to a seemingly sincere new friend a week ago paid dearly when he turned out to be a flim flam man. In a matter of days, he cleaned them out.
Brendan Rowland/ Roommate: "He was smooth. He knew what he was doing."
Joshuah Moriarty said he was from Ireland, a recent LDS convert. He was charming and fun, but it was a well-polished act. His real name is Joshuah Shelley, and he's wanted by the law in several states.
The students say Shelley stole a laptop, a digital camera, iPods, and clothes, including LDS garments. Seven thousand dollars worth of stuff.
Warren Weston/Former Roommate: "He was funny. He was outgoing. Everybody liked him."
Warren Weston saw our story in St. George. He recognized Shelley as a man who called himself Marcus, and pulled the same swindle at Dixie State College five years ago.
He stayed in St. George for a month, then vanished.
Warren Weston/Former Roommate: "We came home from school one day and everything was gone."
Those victims tracked Shelly to Colorado, where he was busted with a stolen truck, and the students got most of their stuff back.
That year, 2001, he pleaded guilty to felony theft charges and spent time in a Colorado prison.
But Shelley is scamming again. Police in Colorado, California and now Utah have warrants for his arrest.
Warren Weston/Former Roommate: "There's a reason he's able to do what he does. That's because he's good at what he does. The average person is going to be just as gullible as we were."
Shelley's victims in Provo say he was last seen driving a gold Subaru Forester, with Wisconsin plates 593 GDP. Police say those plates are stolen.
Five years apart, his victims agree he's good at his game.
