Tax Check Fraud, PECO Scam: Lower Makefield Crimes

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —Fraud was the name of the game over the past week with four cases reported.

The Lower Makefield Township Police Department has released its blotter of criminal incidents for the past week.

These are the criminal incidents:

Jan. 2

FRAUD —600 Block Pennsdale Drive, reported at 3:38 p.m. The complainant reports that a $1378.69 tax refund check was never received. The bank claims an unknown person cashed the check. Both the bank and the U.S. Postal Service will be conducting investigations.

Jan. 1

DUI —Route 332 and Interstate 295 reported at 4:38 a.m. that police observed a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed. A 26-year-old Newtown Township man was detained and ultimately arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Dec. 30

THEFT —1000 Block of Stony Hill Road, reported at 1:13 PM. The complainant reports that a theft of ground wire from a work site was stolen on Dec. 26 at about 6:20 p.m. The wire was valued at $2,500.

Dec. 28

FRAUD —2000 Block of Sylvan Terrace reported at 2:17 p.m. The complainant reported a suspicious phone call that identified themselves from PECO. The caller told the complainant they were going to remove the meter due to non-payment and demanded money to not do so. The complainant realized it was a scam call and terminated call. No monetary loss was reported.

Dec. 27

FRAUD —600 block of Rose Hollow Road, reported at 2:15 p.m. The complainant reports fraud on their debit card for $459 and $50. The complainant contacted the bank to report it.

FRAUD —2100 block of Yardley Road, reported at 12:07 p.m. The complainant reported that packages were delivered to their address that they did not order. Shortly after delivery, the complainant received a phone call from an unknown person stating they had them shipped to the wrong address. The complainant contacted police to report. The complainant also checked their bank account and there was a charge of $1,691.72. The complainant then contacted the bank to advise and they were going to return the packages to UPS.

IDENTITY THEFT —500 block of Heritage Oak, reported at 10:13 a.m. The complainant reported an unknown person used their credit card to make a purchase of $300. The complainant contacted the bank to stop payment.