'How Y'all Know I Was Here?': 19-Year-Old Accused Of String Of Scams Arrested In Apache

Law enforcement said his crime spree is reminiscent of the movie, “Catch Me If You Can.” A 19-year-old who impersonated a medical professional and is accused of a series of scams throughout Oklahoma was arrested in Caddo County.

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Apache Police said they arrested 19-year-old Zachry Bailey at his father's residence on Sunday. 

A warrant for Bailey's arrest was issued out of Oklahoma County because he allegedly scammed more than $111,000 from a car dealership in Oklahoma City. According to the probable cause affidavit, Bailey sold two cars to the dealership in April and May, claiming they were mostly paid off. But the document said Bailey had made fraudulent transfers on the outstanding balances of the two car loans the day before selling the vehicles.

Apache Police Chief Brynn Barnett said they began investigating Bailey after someone from Dallas, Texas, called, claiming Bailey scammed him out of a car. The caller said Bailey paid $30,000 for an Audi, but the money transfer appeared to have been fraudulent, said Apache Police Assistant Chief Ben Lehew.

Barnett said Bailey's father lives in Apache, so Lehew drove by the home and spotted a new 2023 Toyota Camry with a Texas tags on the driveway. Lehew and another officer then went to the home Sunday and arrested Bailey on his warrants out of Oklahoma County.

"How y'all know I was here?" Bailey asked in the bodycam video.

"Listen, I chased escapees for 18 years with the Department of Corrections. I'm pretty good at this," Lehew responded.

Barnett said he and his officers are investigating whether the new Camry found at the home of Bailey's father is the result of a scam as well. 

“As of (Tuesday) morning, we were advised that the Camry that was at the residence, the female has taken it to Oklahoma City and sold the new 2023 Toyota Camry for $3,500," Barnett said.

Barnett said the ongoing investigation could result in more arrests.

"There's going to be a lot more coming out here, you know, and we're also looking into friends and family that may have assisted him," Barnett said.

Bailey is also accused of scamming a person out of a $61,500 Tesla car in Oklahoma City in October, according to a probable cause affidavit. The document stated that Bailey wired money to the car's owner from a business account that did not belong to Bailey.

Furthermore, court records showed that Bailey pleaded no contest to stealing nearly $4,300 in jewelry from a Walmart in Broken Arrow in November. Bailey received a deferred sentence and will be under district attorney supervision for three years. He was ordered to pay restitution as well.

But Apache Police said the crime spree extends beyond Oklahoma. According to online court records, Bailey pleaded guilty in December to impersonating a physician's assistant in Nueces County, Texas. He received a six-year deferred sentence, 180 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine.

"It's kind of crazy to have where a kid has gained access at such a young age into two big hospitals in Texas," Barnett said.