Grandson Call Scam, Chicken Complaint Top Northampton Twp. Crimes

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Chickens tried to cross the road, but they didn't get to the other side.

And a grandson tried to seek money in a call the resident knew was a scam since the grandson had an accent.

Those were two of the criminal incidents the Northampton Township Police Department reported in its blotter for the period of April 24 to April 30.

During this tour, Patrol handled 15 alarm calls, 28 abandoned 911 calls, 53 medical calls, three domestic calls, five bookings, 77 traffic monitoring calls, and 15 crime prevention details.

04-24-23

Fraud —The complainant contacted headquarters to report possible fraud. They said that they were the victim of mailbox theft earlier in the month. The resident received a phone call from a bank in Texas stating that they had found their license. The resident reached out to the known 800 number for their bank to try and verify the message left, but the customer service representative was unable to contact anyone at the Texas branch as they were closed at the time, but indicated they would get back to them. Patrol did cross reference the phone number left and found it to be a branch of the bank.

Property Damage —Patrol responded to Mill Race Drive for a report of property damage. The complainant states that earlier in the day they heard a truck out front and looked outside to observe a delivery truck turning around in Complainant’s driveway. When they went outside, they observed several ruts in their grass from the truck. Patrol was able to make contact with the property owner who the delivery truck was making a delivery too and get the information. The resident needed to file a complaint for damage.

Fraud —The complainant came to headquarters to report a theft from the mailbox. They said that on April 12, they put mail in their mailbox as outgoing mail. The check which was in that mail was altered and cashed for a different amount. The bank has refunded the money paid for the check. The account was closed and three credit bureaus were contacted, but the resident wanted to advise police because of the ongoing issues they read about.

04-25-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Tanyard Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident in a business parking lot. Unit #1 was pulling through the parking lot into the throughway when it struck Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained minor damage, neither required a tow. No injuries were reported.

Warrant Arrest —While on Patrol, officers pulled over a vehicle with multiple violations. While running the driver’s information, officers were advised by Bucks County Radio that the driver had an open arrest warrant with the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office. The driver was taken into custody, processed, and transported to Bucks County Prison.

04-26-23

Fraud —Patrol responded to East Patricia Road for a report of fraud. The complainant states that they placed two envelopes containing checks in their mailbox on April 14. They checked their account and found that one of the checks had been altered to a larger amount and a different payee. The bank reimbursed them for the fraudulently cashed check.

Fraud —The complainant came into police headquarters to report fraud. They said their credit card was used during the night by an unknown subject. They reported it to their credit card company and canceled the card.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Sackettsford Road for a report of a one-vehicle accident. The complainant states that they were traveling on Sackettsford Road when they lost control of the vehicle on a curve, drove off the road, and struck a PECO pole. The vehicle sustained severe damage and was towed. The driver was taken to the hospital by a family member.

04-27-23

Animal Complaint —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road for an animal complaint. The complainant states that there are 3-4 chickens trying to cross the road. The owner of the chickens arrived and was able to round them up. The chickens did not get to the other side of the road.

Juvenile Problem —Patrol responded to Willow Road for a report of a theft in progress. The complainant reported that juveniles were trying to steal a package off of their porch. One of the juveniles was on scene, but the other juvenile had gotten away. The juvenile indicated they were not trying to steal, but were playing "ding-dong ditch." Patrol found the brother of the juvenile on scene and he confirmed what the brother had said. The juveniles’ mother came to the scene and the juveniles were released to their mother.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to 2nd Street Pike and Cherry Blossom for a report of a one-vehicle accident. The complainant states that they were traveling on 2nd Street Pike when a deer jumped into the road and they were unable to avoid hitting it. The vehicle sustained heavy damage and needed to be towed. The Complainant did not report any injuries.

Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report fraud on their mobile phone account. The complainant states that an unknown subject purchased three phones through their account and was able to charge the credit card on file. They contacted the mobile phone company to report the fraud. They also contacted their credit card company to advise of the fraud. The credit card company canceled the card and will refund the money paid once the claim has been processed. They also advised that someone tried to change their email address with the mobile phone company but they were able to stop that.

04-28-23

Found Property —Patrol responded to Buck Road for a report of found property. The complainant states they found a black wallet in a parking lot. The wallet contained a state driver’s license. Patrol was able to identify and locate the owner of the wallet and return same to the rightful owner.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to a parking lot on 2nd Street Pike. Unit #1 was at stop sign in the parking lot, when they attempted to cross over the road. They did not see Unit #2 traveling on the through road and were struck by Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained damage, but neither required a tow. No injuries were reported.

Wires/Pole Down — Patrol responded to Chestnut Drive for a report of a tree taking down wires from their house to a pole. The complainant states that a large tree fell and took down wires attached to their home and they were concerned they might cause a traffic hazard. A check indicated the wires were not currently a hazard to the road and Complainant was advised to contact police if anything changed.

Attempted Fraud —The complainant contacted headquarters to report an attempted fraud. The complainant states they received a phone call from someone alleging to be their grandson, stating that they had been in a vehicle accident. The caller had an accent that their grandson does not. The complainant hung up on the caller before they asked for any money, knowing it was a fraud.

04-29-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to a parking lot on Almshouse Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was attempting to pull into a stall and hit Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained minor scratches and no injuries were reported.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Sackettsford Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries. Unit #1 was traveling on Sackettsford Road when they approached the “S” Curve and lost control of their vehicle and struck Unit #2 which was traveling in the opposite lane of traffic. The driver of Unit #2 was transported to Holy Redeemer Hospital for evaluation. Unit #2 was towed from the scene.

Theft —Patrol responded to Great Oak Drive for a report of a theft from a mailbox. The complainant states they placed two checks in their mailbox as outgoing mail on April 13. The complainant received a call indicating the checks were trying to be cashed for a much larger amount than they wrote and advised the bank they were fraudulent. The account was closed and they did not suffer a monetary loss. The case was referred to detectives.

04-30-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Stoneyford Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Stoneyford Road when they lost control of their vehicle and traveled into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck Unit #2. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. There were no injuries reported.