Golf

HOUSTON -- A man accused of being a long-time con man was arrested after a sting operation.

Matt Cook, 27, was ready for a round on the links rather than a visit to jail Monday, but in his golf shoes and orange golf shirt Cook was arrested at a prestigious private country club.

The Houston Police Department said Cook was applying for a membership using someone else’s identity.

“He shows up anticipating to play, and at that point, I’m there

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HOUSTON -- A man accused of being a long-time con man was arrested after a sting operation.

Matt Cook, 27, was ready for a round on the links rather than a visit to jail Monday, but in his golf shoes and orange golf shirt Cook was arrested at a prestigious private country club.

The Houston Police Department said Cook was applying for a membership using someone else’s identity.

“He shows up anticipating to play, and at that point, I’m there playing an undercover role and I introduced myself and he introduces himself to me using the victim’s name,” said officer Jim Woods.

HPD says the victim’s truck was broken into last month and said Cook stole his golf clubs and a briefcase.

Woods said it could happen to anyone who doesn’t take proper precaution.

“You need to take your stuff out of the car,” Woods said.

Cook was previously arrested in 2012 after allegedly breaking into several hotels and motels in the Galleria area. HPD said he was stealing computers and jewelry out of people’s rooms. Court records show Cook was using a doctored card key to gain access.

On Monday, he showed up to the country club driving a Harley Davidson Ford truck. It turned out to be stolen from a dealership where police said Cook used a fictitious name to take it for a test drive.

“He just drives off and never brings it back,” said Woods.

Cook is scheduled to be in court on June 6 for the hotel and motel thefts. He had been out on bond, but Houston police said after this arrest they’re hoping he will be

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