Off-Duty Cop Arrests Faux FedEx Worker At His Hoboken Home: Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — Beware of fake FedEx and utility workers, police say, after a Hoboken off-duty officer ended up arresting an alleged scammer at his own home.

The Hoboken police said that on Thursday, May 4, Police Officer James Barbro was off duty and in his home in Hoboken when someone rang his doorbell, claiming to be from FedEx.

The officer buzzed the man in.

But moments later, police said, Barbo saw the man knocking on other doors asking residents about their utility bills.

Barbro told the man he was not allowed in the building and was trespassing, "to which the suspect responded with an expletive," police said. He also kept knocking on doors.

Barbro called police dispatch to inform them, and the man allegedly shoved him and tried to leave, "becoming combative and resisting arrest. At one point the two wrestled to the ground, and [the man], while being told he was under arrest, grabbed the officer by the throat."

Uniformed officers arrived, handcuffed the man, and took him to Police Headquarters.

Matthew Van Putten of Brooklyn, N.Y. was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal trespass, and obstruction, police said. He was issued a summons and released.

Barbro was treated for his injuries.

Police said that Van Putten was previously arrested on April 25 in Hoboken for an incident in which he allegedly threatened a homeowner after he was asked to leave. In that case, Van Putten was charged with making terroristic threats, police said.

“We are thankful for Officer James Barbro’s quick thinking and swift action, even on his time off, to prevent this suspect from potentially taking advantage of his neighbors,” said Hoboken Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “This can serve as a reminder to our residents and business owners
to be vigilant and be on the look-out for potential scams involving fake utility workers.”

What To Do

The Hoboken Police Department advises that utility workers almost never need to be inside your
home, so if someone comes to your door and you have not been contacted in advance, do not let
them in.

Employees of legitimate utility companies must carry an official company identification and present it when asked. If you don’t trust the ID is legitimate, call the company to verify.

In Hoboken, you can also call police dispatch at (201) 420-2100 to confirm whether a vendor has
checked in to work in the city, as they are suggested to do.

If a resident suspects a utility worker is a fraud and/or potentially dangerous, they should ask
them to wait while they close their door, lock it, and call the Hoboken Police Department at
(201) 420-2100. Residents should refrain from engaging or calling them out as fake, as this could
put them in further danger.

These scams often target senior citizens, so residents should make sure their elderly loved ones are aware of this type of crime, what to watch out for, and how to respond. If a resident ever feels like they, their family, their neighbors, or their property are in imminent danger call 9-1-1.

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