Couple Scammed Out Of $150K, More Retail Thefts: Newtown Twp. Police

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department reported the following incidents and arrests between July 12 and July 25:

July 12

• Shortly before 9 a.m., police were contacted by a Newtown Township resident concerning her elderly parents being scammed out of $150,000 after their computer was hacked. The incident was referred to the detective division and is under investigation.
• Police were dispatched to the CVS in Wrightstown Township around 1:45 p.m. for the report of a retail theft. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
• Police were dispatched to Lululemon around 6:30 p.m. for the report of a retail theft in progress. The investigation is ongoing.

July 13

• At approximately 10:45 p.m. police conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a Ford Focus for committing a vehicle code violation at the Newtown Bypass and Woodbourne Road. As a result of the investigation, suspected narcotics and drug equipment were discovered and seized as evidence. The driver was taken into custody for processing without incident and charges are pending evidence results.

July 15

• At approximately 10:30 a.m. police were contacted by a Newtown Township resident in regards to the theft of a utility trailer. The total value of the loss was $5,000.

July 16

• Police were dispatched to the Green Parrot around 5:30 p.m. for the report of a theft involving a dine and dash. The investigation is ongoing.

July 17

• At approximately 9:45 p.m. police conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a Toyota sedan operator for committing a vehicle code violation at Durham Road and Old Anchor Road. As a result of the investigation, the driver was arrested on an active warrant from the City of Philadelphia and was processed and transported without incident.

July 18

• At approximately 9:45 p.m. police conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a Honda Civic for committing a vehicle code violation at Parkview Way and Short Lane. As a result of the investigation, suspected narcotics and drug equipment were discovered and seized as evidence. The driver was taken into custody for processing without incident. Charges are pending evidence results.

July 21

• Police were dispatched to McCaffrey’s around 6:15 p.m. for a retail theft. The total value of loss was approximately $88.

July 23

• Police were dispatched to a Newtown Township residence around 6:15 p.m. for a theft report. The investigation is ongoing.

July 23

• The Newtown-Makefield Truck Enforcement Unit conducted a commercial vehicle safety detail in the area of Durham Road and Fox Hill Drive in Wrightstown Township. The unit is made up of officers from Newtown Township, Newtown Borough and Upper Makefield. During the detail, 12 trucks were stopped and inspected. Two trucks were placed out of service and three citations and one warning were issued for violations that were found.

July 25

• Police received phone calls throughout the day from residents who claimed they were contacted by a police sergeant from the department requesting money for failing to appear for jury duty. In each incident, the person identified themself as Sergeant Gilmore with the Newtown Township Police Department and stated that the resident owed $8,000 in fines due for missed jury duty. The scammer also knew the resident's address, which is public information, and it was reported that the phone calls originated from the township's police department number - (215) 579-1000 - through a process called spoofing. "The Newtown Township Police Department will never contact residents to solicit payments over the phone. We are urging our community to remain vigilant and protect your personal information. If you receive this type of phone call, do not provide any personal information (date of birth, Social Security Number, bank account information, etc.). If you suspect the phone call to be suspicious, hang up and call the county's non-emergency number at 215-328-8524 to speak with an officer.