Jury Duty Scam, Acme Shoplifter: Newtown Police Activity

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Police in Newtown Township reported the following recent incidents:

Feb. 14

A Newtown Township resident contacted police to report fraud. He reported that while he was trying to refinance his investment property, he discovered that an unknown party took out a lease for a car in his name. The credit company is investigating the matter.

A Newtown Township resident contacted police to report a scam. She explained that she received a phone call from someone who claimed that she did not report to jury duty in Montgomery County and that she was going to be arrested. They told her that she was going to be charged with failure to appear and contempt of court and that she was going to get two citations for a total of $4,000. They instructed her to get the money or she would be arrested. During the instruction phase of the conversation, the resident lost her phone connection. When she called the phone number that had called her back, it was indeed the phone number of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. As a reminder, the Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies or command staff will never ask residents to meet them at the courthouse with cash to pay a fine. If you get a call saying otherwise, it's a guaranteed scam.

Feb. 15

At approximately 5:45 p.m. police responded to 7-11 on South Sycamore Street for the report of juveniles trespassing by repeatedly opening a side door. The juveniles fled the area before the officer made contact with them.

Feb. 16

Around 9:30 a.m. police were dispatched to Barclay Street to meet with a victim in regards to a theft. The victim reported that $375 was stolen out of her purse.

Feb. 18

Police responded to a Claire Drive residence for a threats complaint. Upon further investigation, the complaint was determined to be unfounded. An investigation is ongoing at this time.

Feb. 19

Police responded to Acme Market on West Road at approximately 3:30 p.m. for the report of a shoplifter. A shoplifter was pushing a grocery cart full of meats and beer out of the store’s doors, when he was confronted by a store employee and asked for a receipt, according to the report. The shoplifter then pushed the cart at the employee and took off. The total value of items in the cart was $130.11. The investigation is ongoing.

Shortly before midnight, patrol was dispatched to the area of the Newtown Bypass and Richboro Road for the report of a vehicle driving all over the roadway. Upon arrival, patrol checked the area but did not locate the vehicle.