Penn State Ticket Scam, Bitcoin Fraud: Lower Makefield Crimes

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — The Lower Makefield Police Department has released its blotter of criminal incidents for the past week.

These are the criminal incidents:

Sept. 3

FRAUD —600 block of W. Melissa Circle, reported at 5:56 p.m. The complainant reported fraud involving the private sale of a vehicle. The victim agreed to sell the vehicle to an individual who claimed to be out of the country and needed the vehicle shipped. The suspect sent a cashier's check for $14,700, which the victim deposited into their bank account. The victim was then instructed to send a money order for $4,200 to an address in Alabama. After discovering the initial check was fraudulent, the victim attempted to retrieve the money order. The investigation is ongoing.

Sept. 1

FRAUD — 1800 block of Waterford Road, reported at 11:22 a.m. The complainant reported unknown person(s) attempted to open a credit card in their name.

THEFT —1300 block of Heller Drive, reported at 5:44 p.m. The complainant reported theft of a Rolex watch after moving. Total loss $12,340.63.

RETAIL THEFT — 900 block of Vansant Drive at Wegmans, reported at 6:59 p.m. Loss Prevention detained a 26-year-old Bristol woman for taking $108.47 worth of merchandise without paying. She was taken into police custody.

Aug. 31

FRAUD:

• 600 block of Rose Hollow Drive, reported at 1:41 p.m. The complainant reported purchasing Penn State football season tickets through a Facebook group page. After sending the “seller” $550.00 and trying to claim the tickets, the “seller” acted confused and failed to refund their money.
• Unit block of Riverdale Road, reported at 7:20 p.m. The complainant reported being a victim of a scam, resulting in a loss of $21,199.98. The victim believed they received a Snapchat message from a friend, promoting an investment opportunity.

Aug. 30

DRUG ARREST — 1600 block of Big Oak Road, reported at 3:04 p.m. Police on patrol stopped a vehicle for violations. Further investigation led to the arrest of the 56-year-old male driver from Philadelphia for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was taken into police custody.

Aug. 29

FRAUD — 600 block of Rose Hollow Drive, reported at 10:50 a.m. The complainant reported receiving a fraudulent PayPal email and contacted who they believed to be an FTC employee. They were advised that $20,000 was deposited into their account and needed to purchase $5,000 in Bitcoin, which they did. Investigation ongoing.

RETAIL THEFT — 100 block of Oxford Valley Road at CVS, reported at 8:52 p.m. The manager reported that a woman removed $292.26 worth of laundry-related items without paying and fled in a black pickup truck. Investigation ongoing.

Aug. 28

DRUG ARREST — Pine Grove Road and Big Oak Road, reported at 7:58 a.m. Police on patrol received an LPR alert on a vehicle at the location. The 26-year-old male driver from Levittown was taken into police custody for Possession of Cocaine.

RETAIL THEFT — 1600 block of Big Oak Road at Shop Rite, reported at 9:44 a.m. Loss Prevention reported multiple thefts by the same offender between 7/6 – 8/17 totaling $1,169.19. The identity of the suspect was revealed through investigation. A warrant was issued for an 83-year-old Morrisville woman.

DUI ARREST — 1600 block of Big Oak Road, reported at 4:05 p.m. Police on patrol stopped a vehicle for violations. Further investigation led to the arrest of the 42-year-old male driver from Fairless Hills for Driving Under the Influence. He was taken into police custody.

FUGITIVE OF JUSTICE — Oxford Valley Road and Route 1, reported at 5:33 p.m. Police on patrol received a hit confirmation for a wanted person at the location. A records check revealed the 41-year-old male driver from Morrisville was wanted out of NJ for Aggravated Assault With Weapon Involved. He was taken into police custody and sent to BCCF.