Police: Seniors Scammed Out of Almost $3,000

Wyckoff police warn residents to be aware of scams commonly played on senior citizens in light of a recent case of fraud in the township.

Authorities said they were contacted by a couple, ages 89 and 82, on May 12, who reported that they lost several thousand dollars after an emotional appeal from someone claiming to be their grandson.

The couple said they received a phone call on May 7 from someone claiming to be their grandson, who told them he was involved in an auto accident in Montreal. The caller requested money to pay for damage to a rental car, claiming he could be sent to jail if the money wasn't sent. The caller also said his "attorney" would contact the couple, and requested that the township residents not contact his parents.

Police said they got another call from someone claiming to be the man's attorney, who explained how to wire money from a location in Paterson. The couple complied, sending $2,781.

The seniors realized they were scammed several days later when they contacted their grandson, who was safely at college. They subsequently got another call from the scammer claiming to be their grandson, asking for more money to be wired, police said. The caller hung up when the couple began to question him.

Police Chief Benjamin C. Fox said that this is a classic scam that is used on senior citizens. "An emotional appeal for money is used, and requests are made to keep it a secret. These cases happen in Wyckoff periodically and are reported to the public to make them aware of the scenarios that are used, in the hope that it will prevent someone else from becoming a victim."

The chief advises residents to contact police should they ever have doubts about the legitimacy of such a situation.

• A township man was charged with assault after allegedly injuring his wife on May 12.

Police said they responded to an Everett Avenue home at 9:55 p.m. that day to investigate a reported domestic violence incident. The investigation determined that a 51-year-old Wyckoff man allegedly grabbed his 34-year-old wife and injured her arm during an argument about credit card use. He was released on his own recognizance and will appear in Municipal Court.

Patrolmen Peter Goodman, William Plisich and Terrance Murphy investigated.

• Two businesses on West Main Street reported the theft of scrap metal on May 10.

Police said the scrap metal, which was going to be sold to a recycling company, was located in the rear of their buildings and was valued at $800. Surveillance videos show a man exiting a white cargo van and removing the metal.

• A Fair Lawn woman was charged with drunken driving after a traffic stop on May 8.

Police said Sindya L. Morales, 34, was clocked traveling 50 mph on Wyckoff Avenue at 2:18 a.m. that day. Morales subsequently turned onto Russell Avenue, where she mounted a curb near Helena Avenue, said police, who initiated a traffic stop near Route 208.

Morales was charged with DWI, refusal to submit to a breath test, speeding, reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane of travel. She was released to a friend and will appear in Municipal Court.

• A Hillside Avenue resident reported a burglary at his home on May 5, although nothing was stolen, police said.

The home was vacant from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that day, and the burglar entered by breaking glass in a side door. Police said blood stains were found, indicating the would-be burglar was injured when attempting to access the house.

• A Hawthorne man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop on May 4.

Police said that Sgt. Michael Ragucci stopped a vehicle driven by Christiann P. Ryerson, 25, at 9:39 p.m. that night for having a busted tail light. Ragucci allegedly detected the scent of marijuana after the stop, police said. The ensuing investigation uncovered a bag of marijuana in the console and drug paraphernalia in the door pocket.

Ryerson was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, possession of narcotics in a motor vehicle and improper maintenance of lamps. He was released on his own recognizance and will answer the charges in Municipal Court.

• A Monroe Avenue resident told police that her purse was stolen from her bedroom while she was having an open house for Realtors on May 4.

The purse contained credit cards, identification and $400.

• A Wyckoff resident was charged with drunken driving after leaving the Barn at 359 Sicomac Avenue after 9 p.m. April 30.

Police said Gary G. Durocher, 43, was intoxicated and denied alcohol at the Barn but drove away from the restaurant. Police stopped him on Sicomac Avenue and subsequently charged him with DWI, refusal to submit to a breath test, driving while his license was revoked, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving a car with no front license plate and failure to keep right. 

Durocher will appear in Municipal Court on June 3.