$8M Lottery Scam, Horse On Lawn Top Northampton Twp. Crimes

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —An $8 million lottery scam, a horse on a lawn, numerous accidents, and a report of explosions were among some of the criminal incidents the Northampton Township Police Department handled recently.

The Northampton Township Police Department released its police blotter of criminal incidents for the period of May 8 to May 23.

During this tour, Patrol handled 37 alarm calls; 77 abandoned 911 calls; 60 medical calls; 14 domestic calls; 14 booking calls; 112 traffic monitoring details, and 30 crime prevention details.

05-08-23

Attempted Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report an attempted fraud. They stated that they received a call from someone named "Arrun Bangalore" reporting that their Amazon account was involved in drug trafficking and they needed to wire money to California to avoid legal problems. They determined this was a scam and did not wire any money or provide any identifying information.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to West Bristol Road and Hatboro Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on West Bristol Road approaching Hatboro Road when they took their eyes off the road for a moment and did not realize traffic had slowed and could not avoid hitting Unit #2. Unit #1 was towed from the scene and no injuries were reported.

05-09-23

Warrant Arrest —While processing a defendant on charges with our department, they were found to have three outstanding warrants out of Atlantic County, New Jersey. The defendant was charged as a fugitive from justice, arraigned, and transported to Bucks County Prison for failure to post bond.

Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report fraud. They said on March 20, they put a check in their mailbox as outgoing mail. The complainant kept an eye on their account to see if the check cleared, it did not. They then noticed that two checks for large amounts, they had not written, had been cashed on their account using different check numbers and unknown payees. Both checks were written and cashed within a week of when the Complainant had mailed their check, which had never been received by its intended payee. Also, a small check had been written to a cellphone provider they do not use. The complainant's bank credited them for the fraudulent checks cashed. The case was referred to detectives.

05-10-23

Found Property —The complainant came into headquarters with their son, who had found a wallet at a business on Buck Road. Patrol was able to locate a phone number for the owner through the contents of the wallet. The owner later came into headquarters and retrieved their wallet. Hit and Run Patrol responded to North Kitty Knight Drive for an unattended hit and run. They stated that they parked their vehicle and when they returned 45 minutes later their vehicle had a fresh dent and paint damage to their driver's door and driver side mirror. Surveillance cameras were checked.

Animal Complaint —Patrol responded to East Bristol Road for a report of a horse on a lawn. The complainant states that there was a horse on their lawn. Patrol, with the help of neighboring police, were able to corral the horse and the owner was located and the horse was returned to its’ home.

05-11-23

Littering/Dumping —Patrol responded to Hatboro Road for a report of dumping. They stated that a tarp was left in their front yard. The complainant saw two males shaking out the tarp and ultimately left it on their property. Patrol gathered the tarp and disposed of it.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries. When Patrol arrived, Northampton Township Fire Department was already assisting the injured driver of Unit #2. Unit #1 was traveling on Newtown-Richboro Road and did not notice that traffic had stopped and struck Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained minor damage, neither vehicle required a tow. Driver of Unit #2 was transported to St. Mary Medical Center by EMS.

Found Property —Patrol responded to Upper Holland Road for a report of a found bicycle. Complainant states that the bicycle had been on the side of the road all day. Patrol checked some of the neighboring homes and no one knew who the bike belonged to. Patrol secured the bike at headquarters.

05-12-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to East Holland and Buck Roads for a report of a multi-vehicle accident with injuries. Unit #1 was traveling on Buck Road, when it turned left to go onto East Holland Road, Unit #2 was traveling on Buck Road, when Unit #1 turned left in front of them. Unit #1 hit Unit #2, then traveled up the berm, striking a sign and fire hydrant, continuing back towards Buck Road where it hit Units #3 and 4. The driver of Unit #2, was severely injured and taken to St. Mary Medical Center. Units #1 and #2 were impounded and towed to police headquarters, for further investigation.

Fraud —Patrol responded to West Rambler Road for a report of fraud. The complainant states that they received notice that an unknown subject had purchased an Air Rifle using their debit card. They notified their bank of the fraud and the bank closed their account. The complainant was concerned that a gun was purchased using their information and wanted it on record that it was not theirs. The case was sent to Detectives.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Almshouse Road and Addisville Way for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was on Addisville Way and attempted to make a left onto Almshouse Road, when they were waved on by an unknown vehicle, and they then struck Unit #2 who was traveling on Almshouse Road. Unit #2 was towed from the scene; no injuries were reported.

Juvenile Problems —Patrol responded to 2nd Street Pike for a report of an individual being hit with an airsoft pellet. The complainant states they had parked their vehicle in a business parking lot and as they were walking towards to business they felt an object hit the back of their neck. The complainant was able to obtain the vehicle registration of the vehicle that the pellet came from. Patrol responded to the owner of the vehicle's home who indicated that their son was operating the vehicle. Patrol spoke with the son who indicated they had been in the parking lot and were shooting off water pellets. Patrol had a very serious conversation with the vehicle owner and their son regarding the dangerous and wrong actions of shooting the pellet gun.

05-13-23

Found Property —Patrol responded to Karen Road for a report of found property. The complainant states they found a baby stroller left on the corner and were not sure how long it had been there. Patrol checked with surrounding homes but was unable to locate the owner. The stroller was taken to headquarters and the information was put on the department's Facebook page.

Suspicious Incident —Patrol responded to Churchville Lane for three separate reports of loud explosions in the area. Patrol in the area also heard the explosions. A check of the surrounding area found nothing indicative of the explosions.

Fraud —Patrol responded to Misty Meadow Drive for a report of an attempted fraud. Complainant states that over the last several days they have received calls from someone identifying themselves as "Lee Billing" indicating they won $8 million lottery and a car and that they need to gather some information. The complainant knew this to be a fraud and did not provide any personal information to the caller. The complainant was advised to block the number and not answer any further calls from the caller. When Patrol called the number and identified themselves, the call immediately hung up.

DUI Accident —Patrol responded to Hatboro Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Hatboro Road, when they traveled into the opposite lane of traffic and struck Unit #2, who took evasive action to avoid the collision but was unable to avoid it. The Driver of Unit #2 was evaluated by EMS but refused transport to the hospital. Through investigation, the driver of Unit #1 was arrested for suspicion of DUI, taken to headquarters, processed and released to a family member.

05-14-23

Fraud —The complainant came into headquarters to report fraud. The complainant states that on or around April 13, they mailed a check by placing it in their mailbox as outgoing mail. Today, they found that their account has a $0.0 balance. In looking, the check they mailed had been washed and rewritten to an unknown person for a much larger amount. The complainant has contacted their bank and they are investigating as well. The bank indicated they would reimburse their account upon completion of their investigation. The case was referred to detectives.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Almshouse and Jacksonville Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was traveling on Almshouse Road and attempted to make a left onto Almshouse Road when they struck Unit #2 who was traveling on Almshouse Road. Both vehicles sustained damaged, but did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

05-15-23

DUI Arrest —While on patrol in the area of 2nd Street Pike and Almshouse Road, Officers pulled over a vehicle for violations. Through investigation, the driver was arrested for suspicion of DUI, processed, and released.

Juvenile Problems —Patrol responded to Sienna Circle for a report of two juveniles knocking on doors and running away. Patrol checked the area and did not locate the juveniles.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Buck and Heron Roads for a report of a three-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was stopped at Heron Road attempting to make a left onto Buck Road, when they struck Unit #2 who was traveling on Buck Road, causing Unit #2 to partially overturn and hit Unit #3. All three vehicles were towed from the scene and injuries were reported. 05-16-23

Theft —Patrol responded to Merry Dell Drive for a report of a theft. The complainant states that a flower pot had been taken from their property. The complainant did not see anyone take the flower pot.

Theft —The complainant contacted patrol to report a theft. The complainant states that an unknown subject picked up their medication at a local pharmacy. The pharmacy will be providing their video surveillance. The case was referred to detectives.

Fraud —Patrol responded to East Bristol Road for attempted fraud. The complainant states they received an alert from their bank that someone had tried to open an account using their name and information, it was not the Complainant. The complainant stated that the bank opened a fraud report. The complainant also put an alert on their credit report.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Buck Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was traveling on Buck Road and slowed down to make a right-hand turn when Unit #1 attempted to pass on the right and struck the passenger side of Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained minor damage, but did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

05-17-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Jacksonville Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was stopped for a traffic light when Unit #1 took their foot off of the break and rolled into Unit #2. Both vehicles sustained minor damage and did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Bustleton Pike and Lower Holland Road for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was stopped at a stop sign when Unit #1 failed to stop and struck Unit #2 in the rear. Both vehicles sustained damage but did not require a tow. No injuries were reported.

Found Property —The complainant came into headquarters to turn in an Apple IPad. It was found by their home and no one had come looking for it. Patrol did not find any identifying information on it and placed it for safekeeping.

05-18-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to E. Holland and Buck Roads for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Unit #1 was stopped for a red light when Unit #1 failed to stop and struck Unit #2 in the rear. Both vehicles sustained minor damage and no tow was required. No injuries were reported.

Mail Theft —The complainant contacted Patrol to report a theft from their mailbox. They stated that they believe their mail was stolen from their mailbox on 5/3/23. The complainant placed three separate envelopes into the outgoing mail, however, one was not received by its intended addressee, and it contained a check. The complainant has now received a call from their bank stating that someone was in one of their locations claiming to be the complainant and requesting account balances. The bank did not provide information and their account was closed. The complainant has not suffered a monetary loss but is concerned since their personal information is out there.

05-19-23

Public Drunkenness —Patrol responded to a parking lot on Buck Road for a report of an intoxicated person. The complainant reports seeing the individual vomiting outside of a vehicle. Patrol found two intoxicated people and they made the decision to call for a car service to get home.

Drug Possession —Patrol responded to Holland Road for a report of an unconscious person in a parking lot. Upon arrival, patrol found an unconscious driver in the vehicle. Patrol was able to wake the driver. Through investigation, the driver was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, they were processed and arraigned. The driver was unable to post bail and was sent to Bucks County Prison.

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Almshouse and Hatboro roads for a two-vehicle accident. Unit #2 was traveling on Almshouse Road, crossing over Hatboro Road when Unit #1 attempted to make a left off of Hatboro onto Almshouse and struck Unit #2. Unit #2 was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

05-20-23

Traffic Accident —Patrol responded to Upper Holland Road for a report of two -vehicle accident. Unit #2 was travelling on Upper Holland Road when they stopped to let traffic out of a school parking lot, Unit #1 did not see that Unit #2 had stopped and struck them in rear. Unit #2 was towed from the scene. The driver of Unit #2 was transported to St. Mary Medical Center with back pain. Traffic Accident Patrol responded to Newtown-Richboro Road and 2nd Street Pike for a report of two vehicle accident. Unit #2 was traveling on Newtown-Richboro Road near the intersection with 2nd Street Pike when Unit #1 turned left in front of Unit #2, striking Unit #2 causing the vehicle to strike the curb. Unit #2 was towed from the scene; no injuries were reported.

05-21-23

Information Reported —Patrol responded to the area of Newtown-Richboro Road for a crash reported through an iPhone. Upon arrival, Patrol met with individual who had dropped their iPhone while driving and was looking for it. Patrol helped look and the phone was found.

Lost Property —The complainant came into headquarters to report a lost wallet. he complainant states that the last time they had the wallet was on Friday afternoon at a local food store. They had checked their bank account and there has been no fraudulent activity. Patrol suggested putting a freeze on the accounts, as well as contacting PennDOT regarding the lost driver's license.

Burglary —Patrol responded to Hill Road for a report of burglary in progress. Complainant states they heard their garage door open and looked out to see two males wearing masks. The intruders left the scene prior to officers arriving. It appears that the intruders entered an unlocked vehicle and took the garage opener and opened the garage and attempted entry, prior to leaving quickly. Detectives processed the scene for evidence. The investigation continues.