Bedminster Resident Scammed In Bogus US Treasury Phone Call: Blotter

BEDMINSTER, NJ — On July 18 at approximately 12:11 p.m., a Bedminster resident reported that she had been scammed out of $2,855.

The resident told police that she received a call on July 16 from (254)876-5858 and a person with a heavy accent informed her that the U.S. Treasury owed her $9,000, but she would first have to pay a $800 fee to release the funds. They stated that she would need to pay the fee with iTunes gift card, according to Bedminster Police blotter.

After providing the gift cards numbers and the initial fee, she received another phone call from a 646 area code and spoke with a female by the name of “Judy Taylor” who informed her that she owed the IRS $1,745 more to release the funds. The resident purchased $745 more in iTunes gift cards and provided the numbers to the company, according to Bedminster Police blotter.

The resident then received several more calls requesting more money from her. The resident became suspicious and reported the incident to Bedminster Police.

• Other Bedminster Police blotter items:

Road Rage Incident

On July 19 at 10:45 a.m.: Bedminster Police responded to a traffic complaint on Rt. 202/206 South by Schley Mountain Road. Upon arrival the officer spoke with, Eric Duncan, age 48 of Oakland who advised he was traveling in the left lane of Rt. 202/206 when a landscaping truck driven by, Jason Lodato, age 47, of Bedminster cut him off.

Upon passing the truck on the right each party exchanged hand gestures. The passenger of the landscaping truck, Sean Couch, age 48 of Bridgewater started waving an axe out of the window gesturing him to pull over.

The officer then spoke with Sean and Jason who advised while in the middle lane the traffic was stopping abruptly, he did not believe he would be able to stop safely so he switched lanes and did so after observing he had enough room in front of Eric’s vehicle.

Sean produced the plastic toy axe that was approximately 2ft. in length and hollow. Sean confirmed that he hung it out the window laughing as Eric gestured at him. Eric did not wish to pursue charges at this time. It was explained to Sean that he could not threaten or intimidate someone with what may appear to be a toy to him, but not to another. The axe was taken and destroyed.

Citizen Assist

On July 20 at 9:14 p.m.: Bedminster Police responded to Parkside Road for a complaint regarding the street lights in the Parkside Development. Upon arrival Bedminster Police spoke to the complainant who advised the street lights constantly shut on and off. The complainant believes that the lights are unsafe for people living in the community. The complainant was advised to file a complaint with the condo owner and/or the condo association.

Warrant Arrest

On July 20 at approximately 10:31 p.m.: Bedminster Police were traveling southbound on Rte. 202/206 near the Knox House when a yellow Chevrolet Suburban with a New York registration was observed traveling southbound with no rear license plate lights on. A motor vehicle stop was conducted at Rte. 202/206 at River Road. Subsequent to the investigation, Michael Collins, age 65 of Bronx, New York was arrested for a traffic warrant for failure to appear out of Sayreville for $170. Collins posted full cash bail.

Illegal Dumping

On July 21 at approximately 1:46 a.m.: Bedminster Police located 3 five gallon containers and 1 two gallon container on the side of Burnt Mills Road approximately ½ mile from Rattlesnake Bridge Road. The containers held some type of waste fluid, possibly oil. The containers were sealed with duct tape. Somerset County Road Department responded and removed the material. No evidence was located at the scene as to who had committed the illegal dumping.

Suspicious Vehicle

On July 22 at 4:14 a.m.: Bedminster Police responded to the area of Robertson Drive near Wynnewood Road for a report of a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was described as a brown Toyota Rav4 and a registration was provided. Upon arrival, the officer was unable to locate the vehicle. The officer responded to the complainant’s residence. She advised that every morning between 3:45 and 4:15 a.m. she witnesses the vehicle parked and as she gets closer the vehicle will leave driving around the Wynnewood development only to return soon thereafter. The officer checked the vehicle’s registration which showed it belonged to a resident of Wayne. A voicemail was left for the owner of the vehicle.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

On July 22 at 10:23 p.m.: While traveling south on Route 202/206 approaching the on-ramp for I287 South, Bedminster Police observed a gray Ford F-150 cut over to the ramp at the last minute and then speed up rapidly onto I287. Subsequent to the motor vehicle stop, Stephen Carney, age 48 of Matawan was found to be in possession of a marijuana pipe. Carney was arrested for 2C:36-2 (drug paraphernalia).

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.