Police Investigate DEA Scam, Charge Man With Simple Assault In Newtown Township

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department reported the following incidents and arrests between July 10 and 16, including an arrest for suspected DUI and a simple assault and harassment arrest stemming from a domestic dispute.

July 10

• At approximately 3 p.m., police were called to a Newtown Township home for the report of a dispute. As a result of the investigation, a man was charged with simple assault and harassment.

July 12

• At approximately 12:45 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a Hyundai Elantra for committing a vehicle code violation in the area of Second Street Pike and Swamp Road. 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 on suspicion of driving under the influence. Charges are pending blood evidence results.

July 14

• At approximately 12:30 p.m., police were called to a Newtown Township residence for an incident of fraud. The residents explained that they were on the phone with someone claiming to be the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). The caller hung up immediately when the officer spoke with him. The residents explained that it all started with a caller claiming to be with Amazon, asking if they’d purchased a $1,400 Galaxy Tablet. They did not, and were then transferred to another line where the individual claiming to be the DEA accused them of money laundering. They were instructed to tell no one and to go to the bank and withdraw $40,000. If they did not comply, agents would arrive to arrest them. Police advised the residents that this is a common scam tactic and to not answer calls from unknown phone numbers. There was no monetary loss, and the residents did not give the scammers any sensitive personal information.

July 16

• At approximately 11:45 a.m., a Newtown Township resident stopped at police headquarters to report an incident of identity theft. Two accounts were fraudulently opened in their name. There was no monetary loss, and the incident was documented.

• At approximately 3 p.m., a Wrightstown Township resident contacted police to report a theft. The resident was supposed to receive an Apple Watch by mail, but received an empty box instead. The total value of the loss was $399.