'SIM Jacking' Incident Leads Northampton Township Police Report

RICHBORO, PA — The Northampton Township Police Department reported the following incidents between March 11 and March 17.

During this tour, patrol handled 21 alarm calls, 16 abandoned 911 calls, 27 medical emergencies, six bookings, eight domestic disputes, 11 civil disputes, and 67 traffic monitoring details.

March 11

• Wires/Pole Down: Patrol responded to the 1000 block of Old Jacksonville Road for the report of wires down. Once on scene, there was a tree down on the wires and wires across the roadway. PECO was contacted and arrived on the scene to fix the issue.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the intersection of Spencer and Grenoble Roads for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was stopped on Grenoble Road and was attempting to turn onto Spencer Road. While turning, unit 1 was struck by unit 2 traveling southbound on Spencer Road. Tow was required.
• Warrant/Drug Arrest: Patrol responded to the area of Old Bristol Road for an individual who was carrying a bag and appeared confused. Once on scene, patrol spoke with a subject matching the description. It was found that the individual had an active warrant and had drugs. They were taken into custody for the warrant and drugs.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the area of 2nd Street Pike and Worthington Mill Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 had stopped at a stop sign on Worthington Mill Road and was waiting to turn onto 2nd Street Pike. While turning onto 2nd Street Pike, unit 1 made contact with unit 2 which was traveling southbound on the 2nd Street Pike. A tow was required.
• Fraud: A complainant reported that their cellular phone was not working. They were unable to send and receive phone calls and text messages. They had gone to their cellular phone carrier after receiving a text message about a new SIM card. Once their phone was operational, it was found that someone had gained access into their bank accounts. It appeared that the complainant had been a victim of “SIM Jacking”. Information was gathered and this incident was assigned to detectives.

March 12

• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the area of Buck Road and Chinquapin Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was stopped on Chinquapin Road and was attempting to turn onto Buck Road. While turning, unit 1 made contact with unit 2 traveling southbound on Buck Road. Tow was not required.
• Well Being Check: Patrol responded to a parking lot located in the 800 block of Bustleton Pike for a well-being check of an individual asleep in their vehicle with an open alcoholic beverage. Once on location, patrol located the vehicle and contact was made with the person inside. Patrol stood by until a friend came to pick up the individual.

March 13

• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to a parking lot in the 800 block of Bustleton Pike for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was being operated in the parking lot when it struck a building. Tow was required.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the area of Newtown-Richboro Road and Spring Garden Mill Road for a traffic accident. Unit 2 was stopped in traffic facing westbound on Newtown-Richboro Road and unit 1 struck them from behind. Unit 1 had been traveling the same direction as unit 2. Tow was required.

• Vehicle Lock Out: Patrol responded to the 1000 block of 2nd Street Pike for a vehicle lock out. Once on location, contact was made with the vehicle owner. Using lock out tools, patrol was able to gain entry.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol heard and responded to the area of Newtown-Richboro Road and Township Road for a traffic accident. Unit 2 had a green traffic signal and was crossing Newtown-Richboro Road from the shopping center to travel onto Township Road when it was struck by unit 1. Unit 1 had been traveling eastbound on Newtown-Richboro Road and had disregarded the red traffic signal. Tow was not required.
• Vehicle Lock Out: Patrol responded to the area of Bennett Place for a vehicle lock out. Once on location, contact was made with the vehicle owner. Using lock out tools, patrol was able to gain entry.
• Traffic Accident (deer involved): Patrol responded to the 300 block of Almshouse Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Almshouse Road when a deer ran into the roadway. As a result, contact was made. Tow was not required.

March 14

• Vehicle Lock Out: Patrol responded to the area of Whitney Lane for a vehicle lock out. Once on location, contact was made with the vehicle owner. Using lock out tools, patrol was able to gain entry.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the 700 block of East Bristol Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was traveling westbound on East Holland Road when it left the roadway and caused damage to a residential property. Tow was required.
• Traffic Accident (deer involved): Patrol responded to the 2400 block of Old Bristol Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Old Bristol Road when a deer ran into the roadway. As a result, contact was made. Tow was not required.

March 15

• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the area of Industrial Drive for the report of a traffic accident. Unit 2 was traveling on Industrial Drive when unit 1 attempted to pass them while traveling the same direction. While passing, unit 1 made contact with unit 2. From there, unit 1 then struck unit 3 which was parked. Tow was required.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the area of West Bristol Road and Jacksonville Road for a traffic accident. Unit 2 was stopped on West Bristol Road in the turning lane for Jacksonville Road when unit 1 struck them from behind. Tow was not required.
• Fraud/Scam: The complainant reported that they received a message on their iPad telling them to contact Apple Security and provided a phone number to call. The complainant contacted the number, and they were advised that someone was using their information to make purchases. The individual on the phone requested the complainant’s personal information and credit card information. Information was gathered by patrol regarding this incident.
• Fraud: A complainant reported mailing a series of checks from their mailbox outside their home. The complainant then reported that they had found that all of the sent checks had been stolen with one check being altered and cashed. Information was gathered and this case is assigned to detectives.
• DUI Enforcement Detail: Patrol participated in a DUI roving detail in the township.

March 16

• Fraud: The complainant reported mailing a check from their mailbox which was altered and cashed. Information was gathered and this case was assigned to detectives.
• Found Dog: Patrol responded to the area of Lawrence Avenue for the report of two loose dogs. The complainant held onto the dogs until the owner was located.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to a parking lot off Upper Holland Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was pulling into a parking space when it struck unit 2 which was parked. Tow was not required.
• Assist Other PD: Officers responded to Falls Township to assist with an incident that occurred in their jurisdiction.
• Traffic Accident (Hit and Run): Patrol responded to the area of Lower Holland Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was traveling on Lower Holland Road when it struck a mailbox and left the scene. Through investigation, the driver and vehicle were identified.
• DUI Arrest: Patrol initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple violations in the area of Tanyard Road. Through investigation, the driver was taken into custody for the suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/drugs.

March 17

• Assist Other PD: Officers responded to Newtown Township to assist with an incident that occurred in their jurisdiction.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to a parking lot in the 900 block of 2nd Street Pike for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was backing out from a parking space when it made contact with unit 2 which was driving past. Tow was not required.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to a parking lot in the 1000 block of Bustleton Pike for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was pulling into a parking space when it struck unit 2 which was legally parked. Tow was not required.
• Traffic Accident: Patrol responded to the area of Newtown-Richboro Road and 2nd Street Pike for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Newtown-Richboro Road and was attempting to turn left into a parking lot. While turning, unit 1 made contact with unit 2 which was traveling eastbound on Newtown-Richboro Road. Tow was required.