Car Burglary, Online Scam, Shoplifting Reported In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — A car burglary, online scam, and shoplifting were among the items reported in the recent Princeton Police blotter.

On Dec. 10 at 2:43 p.m.: A resident reported being the victim of an online financial scam. The resident received an email on her phone from an unknown person claiming to be an Apple representative, which displayed what appeared to be an unauthorized transaction. After clicking a link in the email, the resident was contacted by a person identifying himself as "David Shelby," who communicated with her via WhatsApp. The suspect advised the resident that she was being targeted by multiple people and instructed her to withdraw funds from her bank account and deposit the money into a Bitcoin ATM to prevent further fraudulent activity. The resident withdrew $2,950 and deposited the funds into a Bitcoin ATM located on Nassau Street. After completing the transaction, the resident contacted official Apple Customer Service and was informed that the incident was a scam. Attempts to recover the funds were unsuccessful, and the resident lost $2,950. The incident remains under investigation.

On Dec. 11 at 8:46 p.m.: Subsequent to a motor vehicle stop for an equipment violation on a vehicle on Lytle Street, the driver/registered owner, Alexis Walker, 33, of Princeton, was found to have an active warrant from the Trenton Municipal Court for $2,500. Walker was placed under arrest and taken to police headquarters, where she was processed. She was later released on her ownrecognizance with a new court date.

On Dec. 12 at 10:33 p.m.: Daniel Jefferson, 36, of North Brunswick, came to police headquarters in order to turn himself in on an active arrest warrant from the Princeton Municipal Court for $2,500 with a 10 percent posting option. Jefferson was placed under arrest and escorted to the processing room where he was processed. Jefferson posted bail and was subsequently released with a new court date.

On Dec. 12 at 6:02 p.m.: Patrols responded to a business on Nassau Street for a report of a past-tense shoplifting. Store management reported that earlier that night, between around 5:53 and 5:58 p.m., two women entered the store, removed five men’s shirts from the sales floor, and exited the store without paying. The stolen merchandise consisted of five men’s classic fit polo shirts with a total value of $590. The suspects were described as two Hispanic women, approximately 5'7" tall, wearing long puffer jackets. One suspect was wearing a tan jacket and carrying a large tote bag, while the second suspect was wearing a dark-colored jacket and a beanie. The incident remains under investigation.

On Dec. 12 at 12:24 p.m.: Patrols responded to West Drive for a report of a past-tense motor vehicle burglary. Investigation revealed that an unknown actor unlawfully entered a parked vehicle and removed multiple items, including a wallet containing personal identification and financial cards, as well as a winter coat. Subsequent investigation determined that an unknown man tried to use the stolen debit and credit cards at a CVS Pharmacy located on Nassau Street. The attempted transactions were flagged by the victim’s financial institutions prior to any completed purchases. The total value of the stolen property is around $550. The suspect was described as a heavyset white or Hispanic male with a black beard, last seen wearing a light-colored hoodie and sweatpants, along with an orange, black, and white baseball cap. The incident remains under investigation.

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