NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Mail and check frauds and scams topped the Northampton Township Police Department’s blotter of criminal incidents for the period of March 27 through April 5.
During the period, patrol handled 16 alarm calls; 17 abandoned 911 calls; 34 medical calls; 5 bookings; 82 traffic monitoring details; and 14 crime prevention details.
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These are the criminal incidents:
03-27-23
Hit & Run —Patrol responded to East Bristol Road for a report of a hit and run. The complainant states that they were traveling on East Bristol Road when a vehicle turned left in front of them. The complainant pulled over and the striking vehicle fled the scene. The driver was able to get a picture of the striking vehicle and is providing a copy to Patrol. The vehicle sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.
Robbery —Patrol responded to a business on 2nd Street Pike for a report of a burglary with a weapon. The complainant states that a man came into the business and walked around for a few minutes then came up to the counter. When the cashier opened the register drawer, the man brandished a weapon and demanded cash from the draw. The man then fled the store and left in a vehicle. The male was eventually located and taken into custody.
Check Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report a check fraud. The complainant states that they placed a check in their mailbox on Orthodox Drive as outgoing mail last week. They received a call from their bank stating they believe the check had been altered and was flagged as possible fraud. The complainant confirmed that the amount and payee had been altered and were not known. The bank did not pay the check so there was no financial loss.
03-28-23
Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bridgetown Pike for a report of a one-vehicle accident. The complainant reports that they were traveling on Bridgetown Pike when a deer ran in front of them and they were unable to avoid hitting it. The vehicle sustained minor damage but did not require a tow.
Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report fraudulent activity. They stated that an unknown person had opened several bank accounts and a loan application in their name. They stated that the accounts were opened at banks they did not have a banking relationship with and that the accounts were closed prior to the complainant finding out about them. There was never any financial activity on the accounts and the loan application was denied. The complainant was advised to contact their current banking institutions and advise them so security flags could be put on them. In addition, the complainant was advised to contact the three credit agencies about placing holds on any future credit activity.
Mail Fraud —The complainant contacted headquarters to report a mail theft/fraud. The complainant states they mailed a bill with a check enclosed in the amount of $2.00 early last week, by placing it in their mailbox for outgoing mail. The complainant was contacted by their bank who advised the check had been washed and the payor changed and the amount changed to $13,000. The bank had already flagged their account and the complainant did not suffer a monetary loss. The complainant was concerned because in the same envelope with the check was personal information for them. The complainant is in the process of contacting the credit agencies.
Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report a fraud. They received an email from a company stating they needed to pay a bill for a renewal and provided a phone number. When the complainant called the number, the person on the other end stated it was an error and they had a refund for the complainant and took control of the complainant’s computer. While filling out a “refund form,” the person “accidentally” put the wrong amount in and requested that the complainant pay them back by going to their bank, withdrawing cash, and depositing it in a Bitcoin ATM, which the complainant did. The complainant was contacted again and told the person again “accidentally” gave the complainant too much of a refund and the complainant needed to go back to their bank, withdraw additional cash, and deposit that into a Bitcoin ATM. The complainant notified their son of what was going on and they realized it was a scam and he brought the complainant in to file a report. The son had already contacted Bitcoin Depot and was advised that the money deposited into a virtual wallet is gone and not traceable. The son is in the process of helping the complainant freeze bank accounts, and credit cards, and change passwords. The case was referred to detectives.
03-29-23
Traffic Accident —The complainant came into headquarters to report a minor car crash. The complainant states while turning left onto Jacksonville Road from Bristol Road they struck the mirror of a vehicle stopped for the light. The complainant then turned their car around but could not locate the other vehicle. The complainant states there were no injuries.
Scam/Attempted Fraud —The complainant called to report an attempted scam call. They received a call from a person identifying themselves as a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent and that they were being investigated for drug trafficking and money laundering. Once the unidentified caller asked for banking information, the complainant said they were contacting police to which they responded that this was confidential and they were not allowed to discuss it with anyone. The complainant terminated the call without giving any information to the caller.
Scam/Attempted Fraud —The complainant contacted headquarters to report a scam call. The complainant states that they received a telephone call from a man calling himself Michael Ross. The caller stated they were law enforcement and that the complainant’s daughter had been involved in a motor vehicle accident with a police vehicle. The caller told the complainant they need $14,000 to get out of jail and that they would call back later in the day to arrant to pick up the money, which was requested to be in cash. The complainant went to the bank to withdraw the money, however, the teller thought it suspicious and the Complainant was convinced not to make the withdrawal. The complainant was advised to contact the police should the caller request a local face-to-face meeting, advise them that they have contacted the police, and terminate any further calls.
03-30-23
Mail/Check Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report a mail/check fraud. The complainant states that they placed a bill with a check in their mailbox as outgoing mail on March 13. The complainant was contacted by their accountant about a large withdrawal from their account, which they were unaware of. While checking it was found the check that was placed in the mail on March 13 had been washed and the payee was now an unknown subject and the amount greatly increased. The complainant’s bank was notified and their account frozen. The complainant does not recall any suspicious activity on the 13th and did not have any surveillance cameras on their property.
Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Almshouse and Jacksonville Roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was stopped for a red light when Unit #1 was unable to stop and struck Unit #2 in the rear. Both vehicles sustained damage, and Unit #1 was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.
03-31-23
Traffic Accident —The complainant came into headquarters to report damage to their vehicle. The complainant states that while traveling on Holland Road they were passed by a commercial vehicle street sweeper. The complainant indicates that they heard gravel striking their vehicle from the street sweeper. Patrol did observe minor scratches to the lower driver’s side door. The complainant also pointed out a chip in the driver’s side front fender. Patrol contacted the vehicle owner for additional information.
Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Almshouse and Hatboro Roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was driving on Hatboro Road crossing over Almshouse Road with a green light when they were struck by Unit #1 who was traveling on Almshouse Road and failed to stop for the red light. Both vehicles were towed from the scene, no injuries were reported.
04-01-23
Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro and Saint Leonards roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was traveling on Newtown-Richboro Road when Unit #1 lost control of their vehicle and it struck Unit #2 before stopping on the embankment of the road. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Injuries were reported but EMS was refused.
Wires in the Road —Patrol responded to Rocksville Road for a report of wires down. While on the scene, Bucks County Radio reported a detached garage on fire at the location. Northampton Township Fire Department was on the scene and found that there were wires burning close to the garage. Patrol closed Rocksville Road to traffic until PECO could secure the loose wires.
04-02-23
Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report fraud. They reported on March 31, they received a letter from Verizon for a bill in the amount of $143.98. They said they do not have a Verizon account. The complainant contacted Verizon directly and explained the situation to which they responded they would cancel the account and the balance but that the complainant should file a police report.
DUI —Patrol was advised by Bucks County Radio of a reckless vehicle on Route 232 headed into Northampton Township. Patrol was able to locate the vehicle and followed it into a parking lot. Through investigation, the driver was arrested for suspicion of DUI, processed, and released to a friend.
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