COPS CORNER: Repeated calls for cash from Internet friend arouse suspicion

Ormond Beach Observer
Cops Corner

Also: Roommate confirms suspicion and suspicious device found

July 9

Just send more money

1:48 p.m. — First Block of Southern Pine Trail. Suspicious Incident. The victim said she met the suspect on an Internet dating site. The suspect said he was in the Army, stationed in Afghanistan. He said if she sent him $2,000, he would retire, come back to the U.S. and take care of her.

After sending the money, she received a message saying he needed $250 for a plane ticket. She wired the money, but he did not arrive on the plane he was supposed to be on.

He sent her a message saying his plane crashed, and he was injured. He said he needed to come back to the U.S. for proper medical care and he needed $250.

Before she could wire the money, she received a call saying the suspect was in prison, and if she didn’t send $500, police would be sent to arrest her.

The victim became suspicious and notified the police.

July 14

Fancy meeting you here

3:36 p.m. — First Block of South Arbor Drive. Burglary. The victim set up cameras to be sure his roommate didn’t steal from him. He locked his door and left the house for about 20 minutes.

When he came back, he found his roommate in his room. The victim said he had left his window open and the screen was now pulled off.

The victim noticed his Samsung tablet was missing and told the roommate he wanted it back. The roommate said he did not have it. He then went into his own room, grabbed his backpack and left the house.

The officer found the roommate walking down a street, and found the tablet in a nearby yard. The roommate admitted to breaking into the victim’s room. He was arrested and transported to jail.

July 21

Bomb squad called

8:22 a.m. — 200 Block of Cardinal Drive. Suspicious Incident. The officer responded to a business where a suspicious piece of pipe was found under a vending machine. A worker had placed it in trash can. The worker said it felt light, like there was nothing in it, but had “Go Daddy” written on it.

It was a gray PVC pipe, about a half-inch in diameter and three inches long, and capped on each end.

The Volusia County Bomb Squad detonated the pipe and there was no indication of explosives. A bomb detection dog checked the area.

The business owner said he would turn over video evidence of the scene.