FBI arrests two convicted fraudsters accused of fleeing town before sentencing

article

(FBI)

SEATTLE - FBI's Seattle Office found and arrested two fraudsters who skipped their sentencing hearing and tried to flee town.

Authorities say Bernard Ross Hansen and Diane Renee Erdmann were arrested Tuesday morning near Port Townsend. The two were convicted on several counts of mail fraud and wire fraud in July 2021, as part of a federal fraud investigation.

The two were to be sentenced Friday, April 29, but fled their Auburn home and left town.

The FBI says the two were seen checking out of a Federal Way hotel at 8:30 a.m., May 1, then they drove off in a blue 2005 Mazda MPV.

RELATED: Charges filed against mother accused of abandoning daughter in car, found alive 9 days later in tow yard

Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android. And sign up for BREAKING NEWS emails delivered straight to your inbox.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts of these individuals is urged to call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324, contact their local FBI office or embassy, or submit a tip online.