Multiple Cases of Fraud Fill Redding Police Blotter

REDDING, CT — Multiple cases of fraud, a DUI, and a vehicle damaged by a falling tree, were investigated by the Redding Police Department this past week.

Police said that two very similar instances of fraud were reported on Tuesday. Residents on Huckleberry Road and Wagon Wheel Road each complained to police that someone opened up unemployment benefits in their names. The complainants did not know how their personal information was obtained. A Sanford Town Road resident filed the same complaint on Friday.

Another fraud attempt was discovered on Tuesday when a Deacon Abbott Road resident received mail from his bank regarding an open account that wasn't his.

Two days later, a Peaceable Street resident received a fraudulent job offer, via an email, according to police. The complainant did not give out any personal information, and contacted the Redding Police Department.

Also on Thursday, police investigated the report of a man sleeping in his vehicle in the middle of Route 52 in front of John Read Middle School, a few minutes after 4 p.m. Police charged Valmar T. Franca Jr., 35, of Ridgefield, with driving under the influence, before releasing him on $100 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Sept. 7

On Saturday, a tree fell across Route 107 near Police HQ, damaging a vehicle. There were no injuries reported.