'Geek Squad' Fraud, Loose Cow Top Northampton Twp. Crimes

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —A loose cow, a groundhog running on a road, and a "Geek Squad" fraud were among some of the recent criminal incidents handled by police.

The Northampton Township Police Department released its blotter of criminal incidents for the period of May 1 through May 7.

During this tour, officers handled 20 alarm calls; 28 abandoned 911 calls; 35 medical calls; eight domestic calls; seven bookings; 82 traffic monitoring details, and 12 crime prevention calls.

These are the criminal incidents:

05-01-23

Burglary —Patrol responded to Almshouse Road for a report of a burglary. The complainant states that when they arrived home their rear sliding glass door was broken. Patrol checked and cleared the house. There were items taken from the house, including cash, credit cards, and a gun. Detectives processed the scene for any evidence, including surveillance video. The investigation continues.

Criminal Mischief —Patrol responded to Steamwhistle Drive for a report of criminal mischief. The complainant states that sometime over the weekend, three storage containers and seven vehicles were spray painted, and two vehicles had fire extinguishers stolen from them. A check of the area for surveillance cameras was made. The investigation continues.

Wire/Poles Down —Patrol responded to Stoneyford Road for a report of a pole and wires down. Upon arrival, patrol observed that a tree had come down on the wires causing the pole to snap. Patrol shut down Stoneyford Road, as it was unpassable until PECO could get out to replace the pole.

05-02-23

Criminal Mischief/Vandalism —Patrol responded to the Civic Center on Newtown-Richboro Road for a report of vandalism to the property. The complainant stated that both the men’s and women’s bathrooms had been damaged with items being ripped off the walls. While reviewing surveillance footage, it was noted that the unknown subjects appeared to have climbed on the roof. When the complainant and patrol checked the roof, they found that the unknown subjects had vandalized three fans and the air conditioning unit, leaving them inoperable. The investigation continues.

Fraud —The complainant came to police headquarters to report fraud. The complainant states that they had unknowingly lost their ATM card in Camden. They were advised that the card had been used in New Jersey, with almost $3,000 worth of purchases being made fraudulently. The complainant contacted their bank and reported the same and canceled the card.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Twining Road for a one-vehicle accident. Unit #1 lost control of the vehicle, struck a guard rail, and a tree, and landed on its roof in the waterway. The driver of the vehicle was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital by EMS with minor injuries, the passenger was uninjured and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

05-03-23

Fraud —Patrol responded to Carol Lane for a report of Fraud. The complainant stated that they put a check in their mailbox, as outgoing mail, a couple of weeks ago. They checked their bank account recently and realized that two of the checks had been changed for much larger amounts, one cleared the other did not. The complainant was advised to check their credit reports and keep a check of their online bank statements.

Suspicious Person —Patrol responded to Christopher Drive for a report of a suspicious person that had occurred through the night. The complainant states that their Ring camera captured a subject dressed in all black with their hood up and gloves on walking away from their work vehicle. The vehicle was locked and nothing was taken. The complainant states that a friend on East Heron Road captured video footage of what appears to be the same subject pulling on their car doors, which were locked.

Theft From Vehicle —Patrol responded to Buckshire Drive for a theft from a vehicle that occurred overnight. The complainant states that they were contacted by their credit card company about an attempt to use their card multiple times in Deptford New Jersey. The complainant knew the card was in their vehicle. The complainant then checked their ring camera and the footage shows a man dressed in all black with their hood up walking through yards and then into their driveway where they accessed Complainant’s unlocked vehicle. Patrol contacted Deptford Township Police to see if they could get any video surveillance from the purchase points. Investigation continues.

05-04-23

Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report possible fraud. The complainant states that they received an email from the “Geek Squad” which the complainant thought was associated with their deceased spouse's account. They stated that during the course of several hours of phone conversations from different phone numbers they were told to withdraw $22,000 and ship it to a location in New Jersey, which the complainant did. After the money was shipped out, they received a call from their bank stating they suspected fraud and were closing their account and moving their remaining money to a new account. At this point, the complainant became concerned that they had been scammed and contacted the shipping company to try and stop the shipment and then came directly to headquarters. Patrol was able to contact the shipping company and determine that the shipment had been stopped and was going to be returned to the claimant.

Attempted Fraud —Patrol responded to Temple Drive for a report of attempted fraud. The complainant states that their Facebook account had been hacked and the password changed, and they were unable to access it or the old email used for it. The complainant states that they then received an email from an unknown person at their new email address, stating that the complainant’s internet browsing and emails are being tracked and that the complainant needed to email $400 to their bitcoin wallet. The complainant knew not to send the money and does not intend to send any money. Patrol suggested safety measures to take to help with their online safety, as well as having complainant notify the FTC as soon as possible.

Animal Complaint —Patrol responded to an animal complaint on Almshouse Road. The complainant states that there is a loose cow on the roadway in the area of Tanners. Patrol assisted Tanners with locating and returning the cow back to its field.

Solicitor Complaint —Patrol responded to a solicitor complaint at Black Rock Road. Patrol located an individual in the area soliciting for Pointe Pest Control, the individual indicated they were part of a group of 12 individuals and none of them have a permit issued from the township. They were advised to cease immediately and contact the other 11 individuals and advise them to cease, in addition they were advised to have their supervisor contact patrol.

05-05-23

Information —Patrol responded to Summer Drive for a report of solicitors. The complainant states that there was a company painting house numbers on curbs, the complainant remembers seeing a solicitation in their mailbox the day before for the service but did not pursue it. The complaint states that as they were leaving their home they saw a number painted on their curb, but it was not the right number, and then received a bill for $20. Patrol attempted to locate the company but found nothing when searched. The township does not have any permit listed under the company name. The complainant is not paying the bill and will contact police should anyone show up at their door.

Mischief —Patrol responded to Gleniffer Hill Road for a report of someone knocking loudly on their door and running away. The complainant states that an unknown subject knocked very hard on their door and then ran away. Patrol made a check of the area and did not find anyone in the area.

Theft —The complainant contacted the police to report the theft. The complainant states that an unknown person picked up their prescription at a local pharmacy. The complainant states that it was not someone in their family. The insurance company had already paid for the prescription. A check of the surveillance video was made. They were advised to contact the credit bureaus for fraud monitoring due to this situation. The case was forwarded to detectives.

05-06-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit was traveling on Newtown-Richboro Road behind Unit #2 who was attempting to make a left into Tyler State Park when Unit #1 could not stop in time and struck Unit #2 in the rear. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

Hit & Run —The complainant came into headquarters to report a hit and run that occurred the day before. The complainant states that their vehicle was parked at the high school and when they returned to their vehicle it was found to have damage. There was no note left.

05-07-23

Animal Complaint —While on patrol, officers stopped for a motorist on the side of the road. The driver indicated that they had stopped because there was a baby groundhog in the roadway and they were trying to get it to the side of the road. Officers were able to corral the groundhog and get it moved far away from the road.

Suspicious Person —Patrol responded to Almshouse Road for a report of an unwanted person. The complainant states that they had a food delivery and the delivery person was refusing to leave. The complainant states that the driver was there for about 20 minutes just walking back and forth in front of their home and would not leave. The complainant states the driver eventually left. Patrol checked for area surveillance cameras and attempted to contact the food delivery service.