Mailbox Alert, Fraud, DUI Charges Pending: Newtown Township Police

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department responded to the following calls between Dec. 2 and Dec. 7:

December 2

• At approximately 11 p.m. police were dispatched to the U.S. Post Office on Terry Drive for the report of an attempted theft from the outdoor mailbox. The investigation is ongoing at this time. With the intent to safeguard your personal and financial information, due to ongoing thefts, police encourage residents NOT to use the blue free-standing mailboxes outside the post office until the US Postal Service implements security modifications to these boxes. There are mailboxes located inside the post office which police recommend using until these security modifications are put in place.

December 3

• At approximately 8 p.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a Honda Accord operator for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of Durham Road and Municipal Drive. Upon speaking with the driver, 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. Charges are pending blood evidence results.

December 4

• Shortly after midnight, police conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota SUV operator for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of South Sycamore Street and Richboro Road. Upon contact 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. Charges are pending blood evidence results.

• At approximately 9:15 p.m. police conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Ranger operator for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of South Sycamore Street. As a result of the investigation, suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were discovered and seized as evidence. Charges are pending evidence results.

December 5

• The Newtown-Makefield Truck Enforcement Unit conducted a commercial vehicle safety detail in the area of Durham Road and Fox Hill Drive. The unit is made up of officers from Newtown Township, Newtown Borough and Upper Makefield Township. During the detail, six trucks were stopped and inspected, and two trucks were placed out of service. Four citations and two warnings were issued for violations that were found.

• A Newtown Township business owner contacted police around 4:15 p.m. to report several business checks that were fraudulently cashed and endorsed. The investigation is ongoing.

December 6

• A Newtown Township resident reported a fraud involving a stolen check from the Newtown Post Office outdoor mailbox. The investigation is ongoing.

December 7

• At approximately 10:45 a.m. police were dispatched to Acme Market for the report of a retail theft. The total value of loss was approximately $300. The investigation is ongoing.

• A Newtown Township resident reported a fraud involving a Foreign Currency (Forex) Trading scam. Forex Trading Scams are when criminals trick people into investing in fraudulent foreign currency schemes. They often promise once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunities where traders can make high returns overnight. The scammers often disappear after they’ve received payment, leaving investors with nothing. For information on these types of scams, visit: https://www.cftc.gov/LearnAndP... In this case, the resident lost approximately $1.5 million, and the investigation is ongoing at this time.

• A Newtown Township resident contacted police at approximately 5 p.m. to report someone fraudulently attempting to cash a check from their personal account. The investigation is ongoing.