Charges Pending Against Drivers, More Fraud Reports: Newtown Police

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department responded to the following call between Dec. 17 and 20:

December 17

• At approximately 12:15 a.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a KIA sedan operator for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of Hidden Valley Lane and Leedom Way. Upon speaking with the operator, the officer detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. The operator was unable to perform field sobriety tests satisfactorily and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. Suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also discovered and seized as evidence. The operator refused to submit blood for chemical testing. Charges are pending.

• At 9 a.m. a Newtown Township resident contacted police to report a fraud on Facebook. The resident reported that a seller had defrauded her out of $275 and was working on disputing the transaction with her bank. Police remind residents that the safest way to ensure a legitimate transaction is to meet in a public setting, such as the Safety Exchange Zone established in the parking lot of the Newtown Township Police Station, and not to pay before receiving the product.

• Shortly after noon, a Newtown Township resident reported an incident of fraud. The resident told police that someone was fraudulently purchasing Apple products through AT&T with her identity. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

December 18

• At approximately 3:05 a.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet sedan operator for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of Durham Road and Second Street Pike in Wrightstown Township. As a result of the investigation, suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were discovered and seized as evidence. Charges are pending evidence results.

December 19

• At approximately 12:45 a.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup truck operator for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of the Newtown Bypass and North State Street. As a result of the investigation, the operator was taken into custody on three active arrest warrants from different counties, and the passenger was taken into custody as a fugitive of justice with two active arrest warrants out of New York. Suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were also discovered and seized as evidence. Charges are pending.

December 20

• A Newtown Township resident contacted police around 1:15 p.m. to report a fraud attempt. The resident explained that she received an email that appeared to be from Geek Squad, confirming the renewal of services. The resident does not use Geek Squad’s services and contacted the listed phone number. The person she spoke with tried to convince the resident to grant them access to her computer, and she recognized it as a scam and hung up immediately.

• A Newtown Township resident contacted police at 4:45 p.m. to report a fraud attempt. The resident explained that she received a text message that appeared to be from Citizens Bank about an account statement. The resident found it suspicious since she doesn’t have an account. Police advised that texts or messages like these are common phishing scams and occur when scam artists use deceptive messages to lure consumers into providing their personal or financial information. Fortunately, the resident did not click on any suspicious links and did not compromise any of her personal information.