- March 27, 2024
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Also: Be careful with emails and paying upfront
May 31
She couldn’t resist the pipe cutter
11:59 a.m. — 300 Block of West Granada Boulevard. Shoplifting. After being read her Miranda rights, the shoplifting suspect said she understood and was willing to talk. She said she had taken a tube cutter from the store about five minutes ago. She said she took it because it was cute. She said she was with her boyfriend but would not provide his name.
A store employee said he stopped her in the parking lot, and she admitted stealing the item. He said he would like to prosecute and will provide a video of the theft.
She was arrested and given a notice to appear in court. The tube cutter was valued at $8.99.
May 21
Trust but verify those emails
4:54 p.m. — First Block of River Beach Drive. Fraud. The victim said she is in the process of selling her condo, and has been working with a local title company. She said a wire transfer was arranged through a bank. The method of payment was originally supposed to be a check, but she received an email that she thought was from the title company changing the method to a wire transfer.
The victim said she sent an email to a title company employee saying the wire transfer went through. The employee called the victim, and said the email did not come from her and she needed to call the bank immediately and call back the transfer.
A bank representative told her it was too late to call it back. The documentation indicated that the money was transferred to a bank in another state. All supporting documents were kept as evidence.
May 19
Business shuts down before work is done
3:36 p.m. — 600 Block of John Anderson Drive. Fraud. The victim said a contractor did not complete two jobs for which he had accepted money.
The contracts were signed in March and work was to begin the next day. The victim began to make excuses for not completing the work, including medical and personal reasons. The suspect eventually stopped answering phone calls.
The officer contacted the suspect, and the suspect said he emptied out his business office and left after a television station did a story accusing him of “ripping people off.” He said the business phone is a cell phone, which he plans to use until it’s shut off for lack of payment.
The victim was advised that he must send a certified letter to the suspect and to bring in all documentation regarding the contract to the police department. The victim said about $1,910 worth of work was not completed.