Springfield Police Blotter: Phone Scam, Thefts, DUI, More

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA – Springfield Township Police issued their weekly crime report Monday, Feb. 26.

The report covers incidents between Feb. 19 and Feb. 25.

Notable incidents include phone scams making rounds in the area, a DUI, and thefts from Target.

See the full report below:

Feb. 19 4:18 p.m.
A juvenile male from Collingdale was stopped by Target Security at the mall after they observed him select several items from the Cosmetic’s Department and conceal them inside a backpack he was carrying.They recovered $81 worth of merchandise. The male was charged with retail theft and released to family.

Feb. 19 6:22 p.m.
A person dining in Panera Bread on the 1000 block Baltimore Pike during the afternoon had credit cards removed from her purse. Unauthorized purchases were made at Rite Aid in Delaware. Det. McNeely is Investigating.

Feb. 20 4:21 p.m.
A side view mirror was stolen from a GMC Yukon while it was parked in the rear of Springfield Square South shopping center during the day Feb. 20.

Feb. 21 9:44 p.m.
Officers investigated a traffic crash at Springfield Road and Colonial Park Drive. Investigation showed the driver of the vehicle, a 50-year-old female from Ridley Park, to be intoxicated. She was taken to Springfield Hospital where she submitted to a blood test. She was released, and charges for DUI are pending.

Feb. 23 1:44 a.m.
Sgt. McKinney investigated noises coming from Netherwood Park and found two juvenile males both from Springfield playing basketball on the court. They were found to have been drinking alcoholic beverages and were taken into custody. Both were turned over to family,and charges for underage drinking and township park violations were filed.

Feb. 25 8:18 p.m.
A patron of the LA Fitness club 800 block Baltimore Pike reported that while exercising, someone removed his backpack which contained clothes, money, and car keys from a locker. The subject found the car keys on the ground next to his car and the vehicle unlocked but nothing was missing from the car. Det.Nutley is investigating the theft.

Feb. 25 9:33 p.m.
Det. Nutley is investigating three incidents of theft of vacuum cleaners from the Target at the mall. Security there reported that on three occasions during the week, an actor removed a vacuum from display and removed the security wrapper before attempting to leave the store. On two occasions, security was able to stop and recover the merchandise but the actors fled in waiting vehicles.

Feb. 25 1248 hrs.
A 58-year-old male from Chester was stopped by Target Security at the mall after they observed him select several pieces of electronics from the display and attempt to leave the store. The male was released and will be charged with retail theft.

Phone Scam:

Several reports were received throughout the week regarding a phone scam. Phone calls were received by residents from people claiming to be from a computer technology company or Microsoft. The callers claim that the residents are owed some type of discount or rebate on a service contract but ask the residents to purchase gift cards to get paid. The residents were then supposed to provide the gift card activation codes to the callers. There were a couple instances in which the callers attempted to remotely access the residents computers to gain access to personal information. A reminder to never provide any unknown people or businesses with information which can compromise your identity. Most legitimate business transactions are initiated by the consumer and not cold calls from unknown people or companies.

Image via Springfield Township Police