Police: Turbo Tax Fraud Report, Man Learned That Someone Filed a Return Under His Name and Asked For a $24,000 Refund; Man Resisted Warrant Arrest; Harassing Phone Calls

Saturday, April 11

At 12:07 a.m., disturbance on Hanson Street. Officers responded to a report that a group of people was hitting a vehicle. Reporting party stated that a group of girls had gathered outside her home and started yelling at her. The party refused to speak to the girls, so they went to her vehicle and started hitting it. She informed them that she had called police. There was no damage to the vehicle.

At 1:50 a.m., juvenile reported missing on Mason Street.

At 2:47 a.m., disturbance on Ward Street. Loud party. Guests were sent on their way without issue.

At 7:00 a.m., warrant arrest on Butler Street. Officers served an arrest warrant on Michael A. Burns, 22, of Salem, at his home. He refused to open the door, so forced entry was made. He was arrested on a straight warrant out of Salem District Court for stalking, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, intimidation of a witness and malicious destruction of property under $250. He was additionally charged with resisting arrest.

At 12:50 p.m., harassing phone calls on Rainbow Terrace. Reporting party came into station to report that she received a call from a man who said he was in Washington, D.C. He told her that she had warrants for her arrest, and that she needed to acquire $3,689 to stop the warrants from going through the system. The woman became nervous, and contacted Salem Police to see if it was true. Officers told her that it might be a scam. The woman went to the station, and officers confirmed that her record was clean and advised her not to send any money to the man. Officers told her that she did exactly the correct thing, and to notify the man that she had received information from the “real” police and to stop bothering her.

At 1:58 p.m., report of fraud on Boston Street. Reporting party noticed an unauthorized credit card account in his name when he ran a credit report. The card was issued in his name with a Lynn address. According to the man, he had never lived at that address. There was an online purchase to a company named Venus that supplies womens clothing. The card was maxed at $500.

At 2:40 p.m. tax fraud on Shore Avenue. Party came into the station to report that he was the victim of identity fraud. He told officers that he had filed his taxes online with TurboTax. When he went to file, he was informed that his social security number was already used by a woman named Jennifer. She had filed taxes with his date of birth and social security number. A block was put on the bogus return.

At 3:41 p.m., electric fire from falling telephone pole in a wooded area on Wyman Drive.The police had snapped at the base, more than likely due to the combination of the pole being rotted and the wind. The electrical wire began to chafe on a nearby tree and began to arc. Fire Department and National Grid notified.

At 6:12 p.m., item found on Margin Street turned in at station. Concerned citizen found a debit card on the floor at Gula Gula Cafe, and turned to over to police.

At 7:19 p.m., tax fraud on Patton Road. Man came into station to report he went to file his taxes on Saturday and TurboTax declined. He called Turbo Tax and learned that someone has filed taxes under his name, and had asked for a $24,000 refund. Reporting party planned to contact the IRS and his creditors. Suspect unknown at this time.

At 11:41 p.m., possible threats with a knife on Essex Street. Officers repsonded to the area of Village tavern. Reporting party called 911 after an intoxicated man made threats about having a knife and was willing to use it after he was kicked out of the bar.