Scotch Plains Local Scammed Out Of Thousands Of Dollars

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A Scotch Plains local scammed out of thousands of dollars was among several fraud cases reported recently in the township.

On March 1, a resident on Rambling Drive said they were contacted by an unknown person who said he could help the victim get caught up on mortgage payments, Scotch Plains Police report.

The person told the victim to send several thousand dollars in American Express gift cards. The victim sent the gift cards but has not heard from the person again, police report.

Other Scotch Plains Police blotter items:

On Feb. 20: A resident on Tillinghast Turn reported the theft of a package delivered to his house. This is under investigation.

On Feb. 21: The management at the Sunoco gas station located at 1746 Rt. 22 reported a theft. A customer left the location without paying for gas. This is under investigation.

On Feb. 23: Sekdu T. Harris, 24, of Plainfield was arrested for possession of marijuana during a
motor vehicle stop conducted by Sgt. Brad Belford. Harris was transported to headquarters and processed.

On Feb. 24: Althea S. Riley, 38, of Plainfield was arrested for driving under the influence during a
motor vehicle stop conducted by Patrolman Mike Baltazar. Riley was transported to headquarters and processed.

On Feb. 24: Melvin C. Overbey, 42, of Linden was arrested on an active warrant out of the Essex
County Sheriff’s Department during a motor vehicle stop conducted by Patrolman Joe Kostecki. Additional warrants out of Orange, Paramus Boro, East Orange, Paterson and Linden were also located. Overbey was transported to headquarters and processed.

On Feb. 24: James McCoy, 58, of Scotch Plains was arrested on an active warrant out of Burlington City during a field investigation conducted by Patrolman Mike Smolinski. McCoy was transported to headquarters and processed.

On Feb. 26: A resident on Plainfield Avenue reported a fraud. Someone opened a cellular account in the victim’s name.

On Feb. 26: Steven G. Jones, 40, of Plainfield was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of South
Plainfield during a motor vehicle stop conducted by Patrolman Gerard Rites. Jones was transported to headquarters and processed.

On Feb. 26: Denzel N. Crawford, 23, of Irvington was arrested for possession of marijuana during a
motor vehicle stop conducted by Patrolman Jason Everitt. Crawford was transported to headquarters and processed.

On Feb. 26: Officers responded to a home in the 1800 block of Raritan Road on a report of an oven fire. The resident was able to put the fire out prior to their arrival however they encountered a heavy smoke condition. The Scotch Plains Fire Department responded and ventilated the home. No injuries reported.

On Feb. 26: Tamika S. Myrick, 32, of Elizabeth was arrested for possession of marijuana during a
motor vehicle stop conducted by Patrolman Eric Fricks. Myrick was transported to headquarters and processed.

On Feb. 27: Walik A. Hemingway, 28, of Newark was arrested on outstanding warrants out of Newark NJ by Officer Tricia Dilollo. Hemingway was processed at headquarters.

On Feb. 28: Martin C. Moodie, 27, of Plainfield was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia
during a motor vehicle stop conducted by Patrolman Eric Fricks. Moodie was transported to headquarters and processed.

On March 1: Gary M. Parks, 46, of Middlesex was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of the
Union County Sheriff’s Department during a motor vehicle stop conducted by Patrolman Zack Vonlangen. Parks was transported to headquarters and processed.

On March 3: A resident on W. Broad Street reported a fraud. Someone opened a credit card in the victim’s name. This is under investigation.

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