Fake U.S. Customs Agent Wanted Bank Accounts In Northampton: Police

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Checks mailed in U.S. Post Office convenience mailboxes and later stolen continued in Northampton Township as police reported numerous check fraud crimes in late November.

The Northampton Township Police Department reported its criminal incidents for the period of Nov. 21 through Nov. 27.

During that time, police also responded to 26 alarm calls; 16 abandoned 911 calls; 48 medical calls; 11 bookings; 65 traffic monitoring details, and 15 crime prevention details.

11-21-22

Suspicious Incident —Patrol responded to Twigkenham Drive for a suspicious incident. The complainant received a call from a woman identifying herself as Agent Jaime Ruiz from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She advised the complainant that there was an outstanding arrest warrant for them. The woman did not ask for money, but asked questions regarding bank accounts. At no time was personal information provided. The complainant questioned the validity of the call and was told a local township officer would call. A call then came from an individual claiming to be an active officer of the Northampton Township Police Department. Police told the complainant that at no time would any law enforcement agency call anyone asking them questions about finances.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to St. Leonard’s and Middle Holland roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was stopped at St. Leonard’s Road behind a disabled vehicle when they attempted to back up to navigate around the disabled vehicle and backed into Unit #2. Minor damage was reported, but no tow was required and no injuries were reported.

Traffic Accident —Police responded to Upper Holland and Township roads for a report of a three-vehicle accident. Units #2 and #3 were stopped at the traffic light on Upper Holland Road when Unit #1 failed to stop and struck Unit #2, which then struck Unit #3. Minor damage was reported, but no tow was required and no injuries were reported.

11-22-22

Juveniles —Patrol responded to Taylor's Way for a report of juveniles ringing doorbells and running away. Patrol made a check of the area, but was unable to locate any juveniles.

Fire —Patrol responded to Chinquapin Road for a report of a large brush fire. When patrol arrived, Northampton Township Fire Department was on the scene, however, unable to access the fire due to its location on the property. The complainant stated that they were burning a large pile of brush and would keep an eye on it until it burned out. They were advised that they cannot burn in the township without a permit.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Township and Newtown-Richboro Roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was traveling in the left lane of Newtown Richboro Road when Unit #1 entered their lane and struck Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained minor damage, and no tow was required. No injuries were reported.

Warrant Arrest —While on patrol, officers observed an individual who they knew to have an outstanding arrest warrant. Contact was made with the individual and confirmation of their identity and the outstanding arrest warrant from the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office was made. The individual was taken into custody, processed, and turned over to the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office.

11-23-22

Traffic Accident —The complainant came into headquarters to report a traffic accident with a deer. They reported traveling on East Bristol Road when a deer ran into the road and struck the passenger side of their vehicle. The vehicle received minor damage.

Check Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report a check fraud, saying they wrote a check and mailed it from the Richboro Post Office in mid-October. They were notified by the original payee that they had not been paid, when they checked online the check had been cashed but with a different unknown payee. The complainant notified their bank of the fraud.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Almshouse Road for a report of a one-vehicle accident involving a deer. The complainant said they were traveling on Almshouse Road when a deer ran across the road and they were unable to avoid hitting it. The vehicle sustained moderate damage and required a tow from the scene.

Check Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report check fraud. They mailed two checks at the Richboro Post Office in early October and then received a call from a bank stating that someone was trying to cash both checks and that the checks appeared tampered with. Unsure that the call was legitimate, the complainant went to their bank and found that both checks had been tampered with and the payee changed to an unknown payee.

11-24-22

DUI Arrest —While on patrol, officers observed a vehicle driving on West Bristol Road with a flat tire. Patrol conducted a traffic stop. The driver was taken into custody for suspicion of driving under the influence. The driver was processed and released to the family.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Buck and Stoneyford roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Middle Holland Road when they attempted to turn left onto Buck Road and struck Unit #2 which was traveling on Stoneyford Road crossing over Buck to go onto Middle Holland. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and needed to be towed from the scene. Tri Hampton Rescue evaluated the driver of Unit #2 for injuries.

Found Property —Patrol responded to Poplar Drive for a report of found property. The complainant states while walking they found several packages, unopened, with local addressees. The Complainant delivered some but felt the police should be aware. Police inspected the remaining packages which did not appear to be tampered with and delivered them to their intended addressees. Patrol contacted the delivery company and provided tracking numbers so their security team could look into this.

Hit and Run —Patrol responded to a business on Buck Road for a report of a hit and run. The complainant states that their vehicle had been parked in the parking area and when they came out it had been hit on the rear bumper. There were no witnesses to the incident.

11-25-22

Found Property —The complainant walked into headquarters to turn in found property. They reported finding a black bag with a computer and school supplies inside. Patrol was able to locate the owner of the items in the bag.

Check Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report check fraud. The complainant said they mailed two checks at the Southampton Post Office in mid-November. They were advised by one of the companies that their bill had not been paid. The complainant checked with their bank and found that both checks had been altered, the payee had been changed to a payee unknown to the victim. A fraud report was filed with the bank and the Postmaster General.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Second Street Pike for a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was attempting to make a left and pulled out onto Second Street Pike when they struck Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

11-26-22

Fraud —The complainant contacted the police to report fraudulent activity on their mobile phone account. They received a phone call from someone stating to be with their mobile phone carrier. They indicated fraudulent activity had been found on their account, the purchase of two Ipad Pros. When they stated it was not a valid purchase, the caller stated they would flag the activity. They then provided their PIN for their account and contacted their carrier a day later to find the call had been fraudulent and the caller had actually placed the order for the Ipad Pro. The carrier canceled the order and reversed the charges. The complainant was given information about contacting the three credit bureaus.

Attempted Theft from Vehicle —Patrol responded to Meer Drive for an attempted theft from a vehicle. The complainant states that at about 2:45 a.m. multiple subjects were seen on their surveillance cameras attempting to enter their vehicle, which was parked in their driveway. The vehicle was locked and the subjects were unable to gain access. While investigating this case, a neighbor checked their surveillance cameras and found that the same subjects had tried to enter their vehicles, but were not able to as they were locked as well. Cases were referred to detectives.

Check Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report check fraud, stating that they checked their credit card statement and noticed a check which had been mailed at the Richboro Post Office, was not deducted. They checked with their bank and found the check had been cashed, by an unknown payee. The bank had frozen the account and also are investigating.

11-27-22

Wire/Poles Down —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road for a report of a transformer sparking. Upon arriving, Patrol observed that the traffic lights at Newtown-Richboro Road and Rock Way, and Newtown-Richboro Road and Holland Road were out. Patrol located a branch on the wires of a PECO Pole and PECO was advised.

ATV/Quads —Patrol responded to Birch Avenue for a report of juveniles operating quads. Complainant states that there were two quads operating on their property and in the woods behind their home. Patrol found the two quad operators as they exited the wooded area. Patrol had the juveniles contact their parents to respond. All parties were advised of the repercussions/penalties that could result from their actions on the quads. All were understanding and responsive.