Police Log: Ring Found in Trash, Handbag Stolen from Yacht, Vandalism

$4,500 RING STOLEN, THEN FOUND IN TRASH
A Fall River, Mass.-man told police on July 23 that someone stole a diamond pinky ring valued at $4,500 that he hid inside his sneakers — along with the sneakers — while he was swimming at the beach across from Flo’s Clam Shack on Park Avenue.

Police said the victim said he put the sneakers and ring against the sea wall. When he got out of the water and started to gather his items he noticed the sneakers and ring were missing.

A few hours later, police said the shoes were found inside a trash barrel nearby. And as luck would have it, the ring was still inside the shoes.

SCAM ATTEMPT
A Sweet Farm Drive resident told police on July 23 that he and his wife got a phone call from a man claiming to be from the Internal Revnue Service and demanded immediate payment.

Police said they crossed checked the number that called and it went to an IRS automated system, which led police to believe it might be genuine.

But the residents called a number they were given and asked to speak with the man who had called earlier. When told that he wasn’t available, the resident asked for the employee ID number, which led to a hangup.

Police soon realized that the call was probably a scam and the scammers had used some type of caller ID trick to make their initial call look legitimate.

Officers confirmed the details of the scam after reviewing IRS warnings on their Web site.

No money was exchanged.

VANDALISM
Someone sprayed the word “gay” and a phallic symbol on two doors at the rear of A2B Tracking Solutions on HighPoint Avenue sometime overnight on July 24.

Police said the vandalism was reported by a manager.

Police noted there was no other graffiti on any other business within the building.

Police are investigating.

HANDBAG STOLEN FROM YACHT
Portsmouth Police are investigating the alleged larceny of a purse from a vessel docked at Hunt Yachts recently.

Police said the theft was reported by the boat owner, who said he believed his wife’s handbag was stolen sometime that morning.

The bag was in the crew area inside the unlocked vessel but he and his wife were inside sleeping on board all night.

When the crew arrived at 8 a.m., they noticed a black man standing on the dock next ot the vessel and left soon after.

The handbag contained a black wallet containing $200, several credit cards and a New Zealand driver’s license.

Also in the bag were receipts for the vessel’s expenses, a credit card for the boat and an iPhone 5 along with prescription medications from Europe.

DOMESTIC
Police charged John Paul Matthews, 40, of 273 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth, with domestic simple assault July 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Police said Matthews punched a woman in the mouth during an argument.