Marple Crime Blotter: PECO Scam, Theft, Fighting, More

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — Police in Marple Township released their weekly crime blotter recently, and we have the details here.

The blotter contains incidents that occurred in the township between Feb. 14 and Feb. 21.

See the full blotter below:

Feb. 14

• Officer Joseph Varacalli stopped a vehicle for driving with an expired registration plate. During the encounter, Officer Varacalli detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the car. During the vehicle stop, Officer Varacalli found a quantity of marijuana, LSD, and other drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. James O'Donnell, of Aston, was charged with drug offenses, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Feb. 16

• At 3:13 a.m., police were dispatched to the 200 block of Lindbergh Ave for a report of an intoxicated person honking the horn of a vehicle. Officer Greg DeSimone located a 49-year-old male from Clifton Heights that was manifestly under the influence. The subject was arrested and released in the morning with a citation.
• At 6:26 p.m., Marple Police were dispatched to the McDonald's Restaurant for a fight that was reported to involve a person with a gun. Upon police arrival, several people had already left the area. No gun was located, and there were no injuries as a result of the reported fight. Officer Matt Hughes investigated the incident.

Feb. 17

• At 4:25 p.m., Officer Matt Smith responded to the parking lot of the Old Navy for an assault report. The victim reported that she was followed to the Old Navy and assaulted by a woman she recognized. The victim said that as she exited her vehicle, the actor called out her name, then ran up and punched and kicked her. The actor, a 23-year-old female from Darby, already fled the area. Officer Smith is investigating.

Feb. 19

• Officer Ray Stiles responded to the Old Navy Store at 400 South State Road for a retail theft. A Loss Prevention associate detained a 36-year-old female from Newtown Square after observing her conceal $230 in merchandise inside her handbag. The actor was charged and released while awaiting a court appearance.
• Officer Ray Stiles was dispatched to the area of Old Marple and Ravenscliffe for an intoxicated female walking on the side of the road. The female, a 39-year-old resident of Philadelphia, had an outstanding warrant from Philadelphia. In addition to being arrested for the outstanding warrant, the woman was also in possession of suspected cocaine and other drug paraphernalia. She was turned over to Philadelphia PD, and additional charges were filed for the drug offenses.

Feb. 20

• Officer Pat Sexton took a report of a possible phone scam. A resident reported having received multiple calls from a phone number with a 712 area code. The caller identified himself as a representative from PECO. The resident was savvy to phone scams targeting the elderly. The resident did not provide the caller with any information but instead notified police when the caller persistently called back and eventually began to use vulgar language. The resident was reminded never to provide any financial or identifiable information to persons who call over the phone.

Feb. 21

• A resident from the 100 block of South Sproul Road reported that she discovered her Swiss Army backpack missing from the front passenger seat of her vehicle. The resident recalled hearing a car door slam at 4:15 a.m. There was no sign of forced entry into the vehicle. Detective Lindelow is investigating the theft.