$7K Spent On Gift Cards In Scam To Unlock Computer In Northampton

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —The resident was told their computer was locked. And the only way to unlock it was to buy gift cards. After spending $7,000, they were told by their credit card company that it was probably a scam, police said.

That was just one of the criminal incidents the Northampton Township Police Department reported in its police blotter for the period of Nov. 28 through Dec. 4.

During the period, police responded to 21 alarm calls, 17 abandoned 911 calls, 40 medical calls, three domestic calls, nine bookings, 69 traffic monitoring details; and 19 crime prevention details.

12-4-22

Vehicle Theft —Patrol responded to Carol Lane for a report of vehicle theft. The complainant reports that they parked their vehicle in the driveway, left it unlocked and with the keys in it, last evening, and when they came out this morning the vehicle was gone. A canvas of the area for surveillance cameras was made.

Found Property —While on patrol at the municipal park, the complainant approached patrol with a wallet found in the area. From the information found in the wallet, patrol was able to return the wallet to its owner, who reported nothing was missing from the wallet.

Vehicle Theft —Patrol responded to Boxwood Road for a report of vehicle theft. The Complainant reports that sometime overnight their vehicle was stolen from their driveway. A canvas of the area for surveillance cameras was made.

Vehicle Theft —Patrol responded to Green Drive for a report of vehicle theft. The complainant reports that sometime overnight their vehicle, which was unlocked with the keys in it, was stolen from their driveway. A canvas of the area for surveillance cameras was made. The vehicle was later recovered in Philadelphia and Northampton Township Police Department took possession of the vehicle to process it for evidence.

12-3-22

• Check Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report check fraud. The complainant states that they mailed a check at the Richboro Post Office on Nov. 7. On Nov. 19, they were advised by the original payee that they had never received the check. They checked their checking account and found the check had been cashed by a changed, unknown payee. The complainant contacted their bank and reported the fraud. The case was referred to detectives.
• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bristol Road and 2nd Street Pike for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Bristol Road attempting to make a left-hand turn onto 2nd Street Pike on a red light and was struck by Unit #2 who was traveling on 2nd Street Pike. Both vehicles sustained damage but did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

12-2-22

• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bristol Road for a report of a one-vehicle accident with a deer. The complainant states while driving on Bristol Road near Hatboro Road they struck a deer. Damage was reported to the front of the vehicle.
• Check Fraud —Complainant came into headquarters to report check fraud. The complainant states that they received notice of an overdue bill, which the complainant knew had been paid, as the Complainant had mailed the check at the Richboro Post Office. When they checked, the check which had been cashed, the original payee had been “washed” and an unknown payee had been added. The complainant’s bank closed the account and started an investigation. The case was referred to detectives.
• Suspicious Vehicle —Patrol responded to North Traymore Avenue for a report of a suspicious vehicle. The complainant states that there was a vehicle occupied by two men driving slowly through the neighborhood walking up to the front doors of multiple residences. Patrol located a paving company in the area. The supervisor indicated they did have two employees driving around attempting to speak to residents. The supervisor was advised that they would need a solicitor’s permit in order to go door to door and were given instructions on how to obtain it.
• Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report fraud. The complainant states when they logged into their computer, they received a message saying “Computer is Locked” and were given a phone number to call. When they called the number, they were told that they had a bad limit and would need to reduce it by buying gift cards and supplying the numbers to the phone number. The complainant purchased more than $7,000 of gift cards and provided their numbers to the individual at the phone number provided. The complainant was advised by their credit card company that they were probably being scammed and should file a police report. The complainant’s credit card account has been frozen.

12-1-22

• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Sackettsford Road for a report of the one-vehicle accident. The complainant states they were traveling on Sackettsford Road when they took their eyes off the road and ended up going off the road striking a pole. The complainant's vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene. Minor injuries were reported.

1-30-22

• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro and Township Roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Newtown-Richboro Road, and was unable to stop for the red light and struck Unit #2 which was traveling on Township Road onto Newtown-Richboro Road. Both vehicles were towed. And the operator of Unit #2 was transported to St. Mary Medical Center.
• Traffic Accident —While on patrol, officers observed two vehicles stopped in the middle of Buck Road. Unit #1 was traveling on Buck Road when traffic stopped and they were unable to stop and struck Unit #2. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. The operator of Unit #2 was transported to St. Mary Medical Center.
• Road Hazard —Patrol responded to Buck Road for a report of a road hazard. Upon arriving, patrol found a very large tree had fallen down across the roadway. Patrol removed as much as they could and PennDOT responded to remove the rest.

11-29-22

• Theft —Patrol responded to a business on Industrial Drive for a report of a theft. The complainant reported that between Oct. 23 and Nov. 23 aluminum siding in excess of $30,000 went missing. The complainant will forward video surveillance to the police department.
• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Almshouse Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was stopped at a red traffic light when it was struck by Unit #1 which did not stop. Minor damage was reported and no tows were required. No injuries were reported.
• Check Fraud —The complainant called headquarters to report a check fraud. The complainant states that they deposited checks in the mailbox at the Richboro Post Office in early November. One of the checks was altered, an unknown payee was added and the amount changed. Their bank has canceled the other checks put in the mail on that date and is reimbursing Complainant the amount lost on the check. The case was referred to detectives.

11-28-22

• Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Holland Road for a report of a traffic accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Holland Road when they were unable to stop with traffic and struck Unit #2 in the rear. Both vehicles sustained damage but did not require and tow. No injuries were reported.
• DUI Hit and Run —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road and Holland Road for a report of a hit-and-run accident. The complainant states that they were traveling on Holland Road turning left on Newtown-Richboro Road with the green light when they were struck by a vehicle with no lights on that had run the red traffic light on Newtown-Richboro Road. The striking vehicle fled the scene, heading towards Newtown on Newtown-Richboro Road. The striking vehicle was stopped in Newtown Township by Newtown Township Police. The driver was placed under arrest for suspicion of D.U.I.
• DUI Arrest —While on Patrol, officers pulled over a vehicle for several violations. The driver was taken into custody for suspicion of driving under the influence, processed, and released.