PayPal Scam, Fraud Gold Purchase: Lower Makefield Crimes

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —Mister Softee was soliciting again without a permit. So was Hello Fresh.

Those were some of the recent criminal incidents the Lower Makefield Township released in its blotter.

These are the criminal incidents:

July 25

THEFT —400 block of Cedar Hollow Drive, reported at 3:15 p.m. The complainant reported receiving an email from someone claiming to be someone they know and sent $875.95 to a scam PayPal address.

July 24

FRAUD —1100 block of Cornell Drive, reported at 3 p.m. The complainant reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Federal Prison System and setting up a home release of their family member, but they needed $2,600 to do so. No monies were sent and the call was disconnected.

SOLICITORS —Wren Song Road and Dove Road, reported at 5:32 p.m. The complainant reported
the solicitor for Hello Fresh soliciting without a permit. They were advised to cease soliciting
until a permit was obtained.

IDENTITY THEFT —1600 block of Fairfield Road, reported at 5:50 p.m. The complainant reported that an unknown person(s) opened an energy account in their name and charged $575.00 in unpaid fees.

July 23

FRAUD:

• Unit block of Sutphin Pines reported at 10:23 a.m. The complainant reported that an unknown male caller asked them to withdraw $250,000 from their retirement account to purchase gold.
• 1800 block of Yardley Road, reported at 11 a.m. The complainant reported hiring Volpe Home Rehab to complete work on their residence that was damaged by a fire in 2022, but the work has not been completed. The company has not responded to the homeowner’s attempts to contact them since March 2024. An investigation is ongoing.

COUNTERFEITING —900 block of Vansant Drive at Wegmans, reported at 1:23 p.m. Loss Prevention reported on July 17, two unknown males passed two counterfeit $100 bills.

THEFT FROM VEHICLE —Unit block of Scammell Drive, reported at 2:05 p.m. The complainant reported an unknown person(s) removed the license plate from their vehicle.

July 22

RETAIL THEFT —1600 block of Big Oak Road at Shop Rite, reported at Noon. Loss Prevention reported that a man removed $186.44 worth of merchandise without paying. The investigation is ongoing.

CREDIT CARD FRAUD —1800 block of Newtown-Yardley Road, reported at 3:06 p.m. The complainant reported an unauthorized use of their credit card.

SOLICITORS —3400 block of Sterling Road, reported at 5:41 p.m. The complainant reported
solicitors for Direct Energy soliciting without permits. They were advised to cease soliciting until permits were obtained.

July 21

DUI ARREST —West Afton Avenue and Lehigh Drive, reported at 7:35 a.m. Police responded to
the report of a male who appeared to be asleep/passed out at the wheel at the intersection. Further investigation led to the arrest of the 33-year-old Trenton, N.J., man. A records check revealed the male had several warrants out of PA & N.J., including Bucks County Sheriffs and Philadelphia. He was processed and turned over to the Bucks County Sheriffs.

July 19

IDENTITY THEFT —1400 block of Scarlet Oak Road, reported at 3:20 p.m. The complainant
reported an unknown person(s) fraudulently cashed a check in the amount of $1,999.50 on
their account using their information.

FRAUD —200 block of Marble Court, reported at 4:20 p.m. The complainant reported hiring
Home Repair LLC to complete work on their residence that was damaged by a hail storm. A check was cashed, but the work has not been completed. The company has not responded
to the homeowner’s attempts to contact them. An investigation is ongoing.

July 18

RETAIL THEFT:

• 900 block of Vansant Drive at Wegmans, reported at 7:29 a.m. Police responded to the report of a retail theft in progress. While police were en route, the woman fled in a vehicle. The vehicle was stopped on Stony Hill Road and a 58-year-old Lower Makefield Township woman was taken into police custody. She was cited for retail theft.
• 1600 block of Big Oak Road at Shop Rite, reported at 11:08 a.m. Loss Prevention reported on July 11, a man took $253.16 worth of merchandise and attempted to leave the store without paying. When he was approached by the manager, he left the cart and fled in a vehicle. Further investigation led to the identity of the 34-year-old Bristol man. He was currently incarcerated in BCCF for unrelated charges. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

SOLICITORS —1000 Edgewood Rd. at the LMT Pool reported at 3:46 p.m. The complainant
reported Mister Softee soliciting without a permit after being previously warned. Contact
was made with the driver, who was advised to cease soliciting until a permit was
obtained.