Fraudulent Activity, Suspected DUI Arrests Lead Newtown Police Report

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department reported the following incidents and arrests from August 11 to 17:

Friday, August 11

A Wrightstown Township resident filed a fraud complaint involving identity theft. The resident told police that someone opened a bank account in his name. The bank’s fraud department is investigating the matter.

Police were dispatched to the area of 255 North Sycamore Street for the report of a single-vehicle traffic accident. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer detected the odor of alcohol. The driver was unable to perform field sobriety tests satisfactorily and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. Charges are pending blood evidence results.

Sunday, August 13

At approximately 2:15 a.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a Mazda CX5 driver for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of Durham Road and Municipal Drive. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer detected the odor of alcohol. The operator was unable to perform field sobriety tests satisfactorily and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. Charges are pending blood evidence results.

A Newtown Township resident contacted police around 8:30 p.m. to report the theft of a package. The total value of loss was $55.

Monday, August 14

A Newtown Township resident filed a complaint involving wire fraud and identity theft. The resident explained that an unknown person obtained his personal checking account information and was able to transfer $5,500 from the account before the fraud was discovered. The unauthorized use occurred in July and the bank launched its own investigation and credited the account. This type of fraud is known as a personal date sale, where an unknown party pirates a citizen’s identity and sells it on the dark web for profit. The sold information is then used for many different fraudulent activities. In this case, a phone account was later opened in the resident’s name with a fraudulent/altered copy of his driver’s license and social security card. The investigation is ongoing.

Wednesday, August 16

At approximately 11:45 p.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota Camry driver for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of the Newtown Bypass and Swamp Road. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer detected the odor of alcohol. The operator was unable to perform field sobriety tests satisfactorily and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. Charges are pending blood evidence results.

Thursday, August 17

A Newtown Township resident reported a case of fraud. The resident told police that someone attempted to open a new bank account at the Wells Fargo Bank in Newtown with her personal information. The bank stopped the attempt and the investigation is ongoing at this time.