U.S. Mail Thefts, PECO Scam, Accidents Top Northampton Police Report

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA — The Northampton Township Police Department reported the following incidents between Feb. 26 and March 3:

February 26

• Patrol responded to a home on Lower Holland Road for a fire. Once on location, police determined the fire was coming from a spotlight on the front lawn. Northampton Township Fire Department arrived on scene and the fire was extinguished.
• Patrol responded to the area of Elm Avenue and Bustleton Pike for a traffic accident. Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on Elm Avenue when they started to brake for something in the roadway. While braking, unit 1 was traveling behind them and struck them from behind. Tow was not required.
• Patrol responded to a home on Revere Drive for the report of gas fumes. Northampton Township Fire Department responded as well. Through investigation, it was found that the incident was caused by a faulty gas hose leading to a stove.

February 27

• Patrol responded to a home on Cloverly Drive for the report of a trash can on fire. Once on location, the trash can fire had been extinguished.
• Patrol responded to a parking lot in the 800 block of 2nd Street Pike for a vehicle lockout. Once on location, contact was made with the vehicle owner. Using lockout tools, patrol was able to gain entry for the vehicle owner.
• A complainant came into police headquarters to have an officer look over text messages to determine if they were scams. Patrol checked and advised the complainant that the text messages appeared to be a scam. The messages were deleted.
• Patrol responded to a parking lot in the 800 block of Bustleton Pike for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was backing out of a parking space when they made contact with unit 2. Tow was not required.

February 28

• Patrol responded to the area of Mill Creek Road for a found dog. Once on location, the dog was transported to a local kennel. A short time later, the dog owner was located.
• Patrol responded to the area of West Bristol Road and Hatboro Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was traveling westbound on West Bristol Road and was approaching Hatboro Road. While traveling, unit 1 struck unit 2 which was stopped in traffic. From there, unit 2 struck unit 3. Tow was not required.
• A complainant reported that they had sent a check in the mail in the beginning of February. Complainant later discovered while checking their accounts that the check had been altered and cashed. Information was gathered and the incident was forwarded to detectives.
• Patrol responded to the area of North Drive for a found dog. Once on location, the dog was transported to a local kennel. A short time later, the dog owner was located.
• Patrol responded to the area of Hatboro Road and Virginia Drive for a disabled vehicle. Once on location, contact was made with the vehicle owner who reported transmission problems. The vehicle owner had a private tow on the way.

February 29

• At 1:42 a.m., patrol found an occupied vehicle in a parking lot in the 900 block of 2nd Street Pike. An individual was seen inside sleeping. Contact was made with the individual who reported that they had pulled into the lot to rest. Everything checked out okay and patrol cleared.
• Patrol responded to the area of Elm Avenue and Aqua Drive for the report of a tree blocking the road. Once on location, patrol located the tree. The tree was able to be moved off from the roadway.
• Patrol responded to the area of 2nd Street Pike and New Road for a traffic accident. Unit 2 was traveling southbound on 2nd Street Pike and was slowing down to stop for traffic. While slowing down, unit 2 was struck by unit 1 which was following behind them. Tow was not required.
• Patrol responded to the area of Almshouse Road and Addisville Way for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was turning onto Almshouse Road from Addisville Way when it made contact with unit 2. Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on Almshouse Road. Tow was not required.
• Patrol responded to the 300 block of Newtown-Richboro Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was turning onto Newtown-Richboro Road from a parking lot while Unit 2 was attempting to enter from the roadway. While both vehicles were attempting to turn, contact was made. Tow was not required.

March 1

• Patrol responded to the area of Hatboro Road and New Road for a traffic accident. Unit 2 was traveling southbound on Hatboro Road when Unit 1 entered from New Road and struck them. Tow was not required.
• Patrol responded to the 1100 block of Holland Road for a traffic accident. Unit 2 was traveling southbound on Holland Road when a vehicle entered the roadway from a school and hit them. Tow was not required.
• A complainant reports selling items and sending them by U.S. Mail from their home. They were contacted by a seller only to find out that none of their items were picked up by the U.S. Post Office from their home. Information was gathered.
• A complainant reports that a week prior, they received a paper bill from PECO and had contacted the phone number provided on the bill to dispute the charge since there was a discrepancy. They then received a phone call (PECO number displayed) from a man indicating that someone was on the way to shut off their service. The individual had information on the complainant’s bill and they requested a payment through Zelle. The complainant realized that this was a scam. Information was gathered.
• Patrol responded to the area of 2nd Street Pike and Tanyard Road for a traffic accident. Unit 2 was stopped on 2nd Street Pike and was waiting to turn left. While waiting, they were struck by Unit 1 from behind. Through investigation, the driver of unit 1 was taken into custody for the suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

March 2

• Patrol responded to a parking lot in the 200 block of Holland Road for a disorderly person. Once on location, contact was made with an individual who had driven their vehicle in the parking lot and struck a parked vehicle. The driver stayed on location and the passenger then proceeded to drive the striking vehicle away. Through investigation, the driver and the passenger of the striking vehicle were taken into custody for the suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Patrol responded to the area of Holland Road and Middle Holland Road for a traffic accident. Unit 1 was traveling on Holland Road and went to make a left turn onto Middle Holland Road. While doing so, they struck the curb. Tow was required.
• Complainant reports that someone hacked into their Facebook account and was using their account to scam individuals in purchasing items listed for sale. Information was gathered and the complainant would be following up with Facebook.

March 3

• Patrol initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. While investigating the traffic stop, drugs were located inside the vehicle. The driver was taken into custody.
• Patrol responded to a parking lot located in the 1000 block of 2nd Street Pike for a vehicle lockout. Once on location, contact was made with the vehicle owner. Using lockout tools, patrol was able to gain entry.
• Patrol responded to the area of West Bristol Road and Hatboro Road for a traffic accident. Unit # 2 was exiting the Warminster Park and crossing over West Bristol Road. While crossing, unit 1 which was traveling northbound on Hatboro Road turned left in front of unit 2. As a result, contact was made. Tow was required.
• Patrol responded to the area of Almshouse Road and 2nd Street Pike for a disabled vehicle. Once on location, patrol was able to relocate the vehicle off from the roadway.

During this tour, patrol handled 13 alarm calls; 9 abandoned 911 calls; 28 medical emergencies; 12 bookings; 5 domestic disputes; 2 civil disputes; 60 traffic monitoring details and 3 crime prevention details.