Mail Issues Continue To Plague Northampton Township

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —The township's police chief had recently testified at a crime hearing that mail theft has risen drastically over the past few years.

And with the Northampton Township Police Department's blotter of criminal incidents from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, the issue isn't going away as police handled an attempted mail theft and a case of mail fraud.

During this tour, Patrol handled 11 alarm calls, 12 abandoned 911 calls, 42 medical calls, 12 bookings, three domestic disputes, 12 civil disputes, 71 traffic details, and 13 crime prevention details.

The criminal incidents are:

Sept. 25

Juveniles —At 2:55 a.m., Patrol came upon two juveniles riding their bikes on Newtown-Richboro Road dressed in dark clothing with no lights on their bikes. The juveniles indicated they were coming from the Wawa. Patrol contacted their parents who were not aware they had left the house. They were picked up by parents.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was stopped for turning traffic when they were struck in the rear by Unit #1, who failed to stop. Both vehicles sustained damage but did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

Sept. 26

Well-Being Check —Patrol responded to a parking lot on 2nd Street Pike for a report of a person slumped in their vehicle. Patrol made contact with the individual who indicated they had just finished a night shift and was taking a nap before heading home.

Information Report —Patrol responded to Middle Holland Road for a report of a possible phone scam. The complainant states they received a text message from an unknown phone number reporting to be the Sinaloa Cartel’s hit men and that if payment was not sent, they would send their “Agents after the Complainant.” The complainant knew this to be a scam and did not respond but wanted the police to be aware.

Sept. 27

Fraud —The complainant contacted headquarters to report fraud. The complainant states that while on vacation they ordered tickets for an amusement park and paid by credit card. The next day when they arrived at the park, it was closed and the complainant never received proof of service of the tickets. When the complainant attempted to dispute the charge, the amusement park provided the credit card company with proof of service. The complainant’s credit card company requires a police report to move forward.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bridgetown Pike for a report of a one-vehicle accident. The complainant states that they were traveling on Bridgetown Pike near Vernasa Drive when a deer ran out into the roadway and was struck. The vehicle sustained front-end damage and required a tow.

Mail Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report a mail fraud. The complainant states they mailed a check in late August. The complainant was notified that the bill, for which the check was mailed, was still outstanding. The complainant checked their bank and found the check had been cashed through a mobile deposit, but not to the payee Complainant had originally written on the check. The complainant’s bank was going to start their investigation. The complainant stated they closed their bank account.

Sept. 28

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Middle Holland Road and Rock Way for a report of a one-vehicle accident. The complainant states they were traveling on Middle Holland Road when a deer came from the left and entered their lane of travel. The complainant was unable to avoid hitting the deer. The vehicle sustained damage but did not require a tow.

Attempted Mail Theft —Patrol responded to Christopher Drive for a report of an attempted theft from a mailbox. The complainant states that their neighbor advised that an unknown person pulled up to their mailbox, exited the vehicle, and motioned to open the mailbox when the neighbor ran outside and intervened. The complainant does not believe anything was taken.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Buck Road for a three-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was pulling through a parking spot when it struck both Unit #2 and Unit #3. All three vehicles sustained damage but did not require a tow and no injuries were reported.

Sept. 29

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Holland Road and Elm Avenue for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was stopped at the stop sign on Elm Avenue waiting to turn left, when they turned in front of Unit #2 who was traveling on Holland Road. Both vehicles made contact. Both vehicles sustained damage but did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

Suspicious Vehicle —Patrol responded to a parking lot on 2nd Street Pike for a report of a suspicious vehicle. The complainant was dropping their daughter off in the parking lot and was uncomfortable with the vehicle. Patrol spoke to the driver of the vehicle who indicated they were waiting for family members because their Airbnb in Richboro had fallen through.

Road Hazard —Patrol responded to Chinquapin Road for a report of a pole leaning into the roadway. Patrol found what appeared to be a Verizon Pole tied to a PECO pole. The poles were leaning towards to the roadway, but not into the roadway. Both Verizon and PECO were contacted regarding the issue.

Sept. 30

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Upper Holland Road and Glen Meadow Road for a report of a one-vehicle accident. The complainant states they were traveling on Upper Holland Road when they saw a deer and applied their brakes which did not feel like they were working properly. They pulled their emergency brake to try and stop which caused them to rotate and strike a curb. The vehicle sustained damage and was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

DUI —While on patrol, an officer observed a vehicle committing several traffic violations. The vehicle was pulled over and through investigation, the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI. They were taken to headquarters, processed, and released to a family member.

Pedestrian Stop/Well-Being Check —While on patrol, an officer observed an individual standing at a busy intersection in their robe and slippers. The officer stopped and spoke with the individual and found they were trying to give directions to a friend, to their home, via the phone and thought it would be easier to meet them at a main intersection.

Oct. 1

Lost Property —The complainant came into headquarters to report a lost cell phone. The complainant was walking in the area of 2nd Street Pike, Windsor Drive, and Fairhill Drive and lost their cell phone. The complainant tried to track it but did not find it.

Hit and Run —Patrol responded to Raffaella Drive and East Holland Road for a hit and run. The complainant states that they were stopped at the stop sign on Raffaella Drive when they were struck by a Chevrolet Trailblazer. The complainant was able to get pictures of the vehicle and the driver before they left the scene. Patrol was able to obtain vehicle information from the registration provided by the complainant. Officers from the jurisdiction where the vehicle came back to check the address for the striking vehicle. The complainant’s vehicle sustained damage but did not require a tow.

Found Property —The complainant reports they lost their iPhone 13 last night and it is now currently pinging to an address in the township. When patrol went to the address and spoke with the homeowner, they indicated they had been to a wedding and taken an Uber with a group of people to their home and found the phone sitting on their bar. The homeowner gave the phone to police who identified it as the complainants and returned same.