Bergen Grandma Thwarts Sketchy Callers, Police Say

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ — When a Bergen County woman got a phone call from someone claiming to be her jailed grandson, she knew something wasn't right.

The caller said he needed $6,000 sent to an attorney who would bail him out of jail.

The woman, a Woodcliff Lake resident, called police.

Woodcliff Lake detectives worked with the resident to set up a small sting operation to get to the bottom of the call, a news release said. The woman called the "attorney" and arranged a meeting at her home to pick up the money for her "grandson."

Police were waiting when a red car pulled up to her home. The resident came outside to hand off the money.

"The suspects got nervous and began to exit the neighborhood when a motor vehicle stop was conducted," police said.

Two 20-year-old men from the Bronx were in the car. Police arrested Danny Martinez and Michael Rodrigues-Adino and charged them with conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

"Please have a conversation with your elderly loved ones about these scams," police wrote. "This proves it can happen anywhere."