Troy Woman Tricked Out of $11,200 in Sweepstakes Scheme

A Troy woman told police last week that she had sent more than $11,197 to addresses in Missouri and Jamaica after receiving dozens of calls advising her that she had won a sweepstakes grand prize.

To obtain her money, she was required to send money to the addresses, according to a report from the Troy Police Department.

The woman, who lives in the 200 block of Aspinwall, said she received between 40 and 80 calls from Oct. 22-27.

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The matter remains under investigation.

The call was one of 210 seeking service from Oct. 26-27. During the period, police made seven arrests for retail fraud, five arrests for operating while under the the influence of alcohol, four arrests on warrants, one arrest for domestic assault, one arrest for retail fraud, one arrest for disorderly conduct and on traffic arrest.

Also on the blotter:

Larceny in a Building

3571 Northfield Parkway, 10/20/2015 – 10/21/2015, 5:00 PM – 8:00 AM: Victim’s I-Pad was stolen by unknown suspect(s). 15-35321

Retail Fraud

J. C. Penney, 700 W. Fourteen Mile Road, 10/26/2015, 4:55 PM: A 51 year old male from Roscommon and a 23 year old female from Sterling Heights, came to the business and attempted to steal $38 and $443 worth of merchandise for sale in the store before being stopped by the responding officers. Officers found a variety of prescription medication that were not in their designated pills bottles in the female’s purse. The officers were able to determine that the 37 pills were Diazepam, Lorazepam, Lamotrigine, and Sertraline. The male suspect was issued a misdemeanor citation for Retail Fraud – 3 scene. The female suspect was arrested and charged with Retail Fraud – 2 Possession of a Controlled Substance. 15-35215

Victoria’s Secret, 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, 10/26/2015, 6:54 PM: Two 19 year old females from Pontiac, came to the business and attempted to steal $84.84 and $269.85 worth of merchandise for sale in the store before being stopped by two police officers who were walking nearby when the anti-theft security sensors near the exit doors sounded. They were both arrested and charged with Retail Fraud – 2nd Degree. One of the female arrestees was carrying her 3 month old child during the time of the theft and was also charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. 15-35230

Target, 1301 Coolidge Highway, 10/27/2015, 8:49 PM: A 57 year old female from Bloomfield Hills, came to the business and attempted to steal $463.19 worth of merchandise for sale in the store before being stopped by Loss Prevention. She was arrested by the responding officers and charged with Retail Fraud – 2

Breaking and Entering

Event Solutions International, 1757 Larchwood Avenue, 10/26/2015 – 10/26/2015, 4:07 AM – 4:10 AM: President of the company reports unknown suspect(s) cut the pad-lock off the northeast gate to gain access onto the property. Nothing appears to be missing at this time. 15-35171

Cedar Grill Restaurant, 5377 Crooks Road, 10/27/2015, 7:11 AM: Business owner discovered that the back door to the restaurant had been tampered with by unknown suspect(s) and entry was gained. One of the two cash register drawers was discovered missing which would have contained $350 in cash. 15-35270

Disorderly Conduct

P. F. Changs Restaurant, 2801 W. Big Beaver Road, 10/27/2015, 10:10 PM: Somerset Collection Security requested help with a disorderly customer who was throwing merchandise on the ground at the Armani Exchange Store. The suspect, a 52 year old male from Flint, proceeded into the P. F. Changs Restaurant and began to bother customers at their dining tables. He was asked to leave because of his disruptive behavior but refused. When officers arrived, the suspect was sitting with a group of women that he did not know. He was asked to walk outside the restaurant with the officers but refused. He was escorted out of the business by the officers who arrested him and transported him to the lock-up facility. Officers noted that the suspect was intoxicated. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Trespassing, and Obstruction of a Police Officer. 15-35353

OWI

Northbound Stephenson Highway, South of E. Maple Road, 10/26/2015, 1:00 AM: Officers initiated a traffic stop on a red Saturn Ion for a moving violation. The officers spoke with the driver, a 30 year old male out of Saint Clair Shores, and a strong odor of alcohol could be detected. The driver admitted to having had drank alcohol earlier at a restaurant. He was asked to step out of the vehicle to perform several sobriety tests to which he did but the officers noted that he performed poorly. He submitted to a Preliminary Breath Test with a result of .10%. He was arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol – 1

Northbound Rochester Road, South of E. Big Beaver Road, 10/26/2015, 2:03 AM: Officer initiated a traffic stop on a white Ford Explorer for a moving violation. The officer spoke with the driver, a 34 year old female out of Rochester Hills, and a strong odor of alcohol could be detected flowing from her but she denied drinking any. She was asked to step out of the vehicle to perform several sobriety tests to which she did but the officer noted that she performed poorly. She refused to submit to a Preliminary Breath Test and was arrested on suspicion of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol. She refused to submit to a Chemical Test at the lock-up facility and a search warrant was executed and her blood was drawn. She was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol – 1

Southbound Stephenson Highway, North of E. Maple Road, 10/26/2015, 1:37 PM: Officer initiated a traffic stop on a black Mazda 6 due to the driver being unable to maintain his own lane of travel. The officer spoke with the driver, a 40 year old male out of Troy, and a strong odor of alcohol could be detected flowing from him. The driver admitted to having had drank alcohol earlier in the day. He was asked to step out of the vehicle to perform several sobriety tests to which he did but the officer noted that he performed poorly. He submitted to a Preliminary Breath Test with a result of .189%. He was arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol – 1

Northbound Interstate 75 and Crooks Road, 10/27/2015, 6:17 PM: Officers responded to the area on report of a silver Chevrolet Suburban being driven erratically. Officers located the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop by activating the patrol vehicles overhead lights. The driver continued to proceed forward slowly and an officer pulled the patrol vehicle in front of the driver to effect the traffic stop. Further information received was that the driver had been involved in a two-car accident on Interstate 75 near Eleven Mile Road and fled the scene. Officers spoke with the driver, a 32 year old male out of Troy and immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol flowing from him. The driver admitted to having drank alcohol earlier in the evening after work. He was asked to step out of the vehicle to perform several sobriety tests to which he did but the officers noted that he performed poorly. He refused to submit to aPreliminary Breath Test and was placed under arrest. A search of his vehicle revealed an open bottle of alcohol inside. He refused to submit to a Chemical Test at the lock-up facility and a search warrant was executed and his blood was drawn. He was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol – 1and Open Intoxicant in a Motor Vehicle. 15-35336

Malicious Destruction of Property

Wass Elementary School, 2340 Willard Dr., 10/24/2015 – 10/26/2015, 4:00 PM – 8:00 AM: Principal of the school reports unknown suspect(s) broke five windows to the school. No entry was gained. 15-35170

1000 block of Woodside Trail, 10/27/2015, 3:30 AM: Homeowner heard a noise coming from her front window and when she checked on it, discovered that the window had been shot out by a pellet gun as two marbles were found inside. Victim has no suspect(s) in mind who she believes would want to cause the damage. 15-35259

Larceny From Yards

B P Gas Station, 2989 Crooks Road, 10/26/2015, 7:28 PM: Employee was working on one of the gasoline pumps and set his Milwaukee Drill down near it. He walked inside the business and when he returned, the drill was taken by an unknown suspect. 15-35236

Larceny From Automobile

Elder Ford, 777 John R Road, 10/23/2015 – 10/26/2015, 6:00 PM – 5:30 AM: Employee reports unknown suspect(s) removed all four tires and rims from a 6 vehicles parked in the parking lot. Three 2015 Ford Taurus’s and three 2016 Ford Explorers were attacked. The suspect(s) entered the parking lot by cutting through the southwest rear gate chain and left the vehicles on landscaping blocks. 15-34499

2135 Lovington, 10/22/2015 – 10/25/2015, 4:00 PM – 12;30 PM: Victim reports unknown suspect(s) cut off the catalytic converter to her white 2004 Chevrolet Malibu while the vehicle was parked in the apartment complex parking lot. 15-35176

2000 block of Virginia Street, 10/26/2015 – 10/27/2015, 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM: Victim discovered unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked black 2012 Chevrolet Impala which was parked in his driveway. The suspect(s) stole a pair of shoes and his wallet which were kept inside. The suspect(s) used his debit card in his wallet to make a fraudulent purchase of $7.07 at the 7-Eleven Store at 2910 Crooks Road in Troy. Another fraudulent purchase was made at the John R Petro Mart at 1980 E. Maple Road in Troy of $22.64. Two other fraudulent purchases of $42.38 and $101.33 were made at the Meijer’s Store at 29505 Mound Road in Warren. 15-35272

Domestic / Family Trouble

Troy officers responded to two incidents involving domestic disputes or family troubles during this reporting period. On-scene investigation did produce enough evidence that a crime of Domestic Assault was committed and an arrest were made. However, officers were required to take non-enforcement actions to either mediate the situation or keep the peace with the other domestic dispute. Readers should be aware that although the incident did not result in arrest or prosecution, it does represent significant law enforcement resources in terms of time, on-scene investigation, re location of disputants, referrals to support agencies, peace keeping, as well as detective and prosecutorial review.

Welfare Checks

Troy officers responded to four incidents involving a person(s) with reported emotional or psychological issues and assisted with transport to a hospital for evaluation or other intervention.

Neighbor Troubles

Troy Officers responded to one incident involving a neighbor trouble in which there were no reasons for formal enforcement action.

Harassment

Troy officers took one report related to harassment, threats and/or obscene phone calls.

Credit, Check, Identity Theft, Other Fraud

Footlocker, 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, 10/12/2015 – 10/13/2015, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM: Victim discovered three unauthorized charges against her bank’s credit card. Two charges occurred at the Footlocker Store for $159.62 and $413.40. The third fraudulent charge occurred in Detroit. The victim is still in possession of her credit card and did not give anyone permission to utilize her account. 15-35189

2000 block of Tewksbury Lane, 10/23/2015, 1:00 PM – 11:59 PM: Victim discovered unknown suspect(s) utilized his credit card account to make a $111.64 purchase at a Meijer’s Store in Warren. The victim is still in possession of his credit card and did not give anyone permission to utilize his account. 15-35190

5000 block of Folkstone Drive, 9/22/2015 – 10/26/2015, 1:00 PM: Victim discovered unknown suspect(s) utilized his credit card account to make four on-line purchases for $200 each at the Addis Store. 15-35209

2000 block of Dorchester Drive, 10/2/2015, 12:00 Noon: Victim was contacted by TD Ameritrade who advised him that an unknown suspect attempted to open an account with them using the victim’s personal identification but was unsuccessful. The victim does has no idea how his personal information was compromised. 15-35324

Hollister Store, 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, 10/27/2015, 6:46 PM: Officers responded to the business on report of a credit card fraud that had occurred. The suspect completed a purchase of a $200 gift card and the credit card used was determined to be fraudulent. The suspect was located elsewhere in the Somerset Collection and arrested. Found in his possession were several fraudulent credit cards and purchases made at several stores. It was determined that the suspect, a 34 year old male, possibly from Mexico, made fraudulent purchases total totaling $2,621.22. He was charged with Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and Identity Theft. 15-35339

2000 block of E. Maple Road, 10/1/2015 – 10/27/2015, 10:18 PM: Victim discovered five unauthorized charges against his bank’s debit card. Fraudulent charges occurred at Troy businesses: Sally’s Beauty Supply ($10.58), Dollar Tree Store ($36.30), Luke’s Sweets–Oakland Mall ($7.50), an ATM at the Oakland Mall ($100), and the Meijer’s Store in Royal Oak ($81.97). The victim is still in possession of his debit card and did not give anyone permission to utilize his account. 15-35355