Crime & Safety

Grandmother Scammed Out of $1,400

The Doylestown woman wired the money to her "grandson" in Guatemala - but he was never in Guatemala.

A Doylestown grandmother fell victim to a popular phone scam when she wired money overseas to someone she thought was her grandson in trouble.

A resident of Lantern Drive told Doylestown Borough police this week that she was scammed by a caller who claimed to be her grandson. He told her he was in trouble in Guatemala City, according to police reports.

The caller told her he was at the U.S. Embassy after being found with marijuana in his vehicle, the victim reportedly told police. He told her he needed $1,400 in order to secure a hearing date and time, they said.

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The caller connected the victim’s call to someone claiming to be an embassy officer in charge of drug-related issues. This person allegedly suggested the closest Western Union location and provided a confirmation phone number that was answered "American Embassy."

The woman wried the money; she later learned that her grandson was never in Guatemala, police said.

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"If it's your grandson, you should know where he is, and if you don't, make some phone calls first," Doylestown Borough Police Chief Jim Donnelly said Thursday.

Here are the other incidents reported in this week's Doylestown Borough police reports.

Liquor Laws

Citations have been filed against Corinne Fisher, 20, Filly Circle, New Hope, for allegedly presenting a fake identification card to Stephanie’s Bar on Friday, June 15 in an effort to gain entry into the bar.

Driving Under the influence

Jillian Jackson, 28, Pine Valley Road, Doylestown, was arrested on Saturday, June 16 at approximately 10:18 PM after the vehicle she was driving struck a parked vehicle on the double-digit block of N. Clinton Street.

During the accident investigation, Jackson was noted to exhibit signs of intoxication. She was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which she failed.

Jackson was transported to Doylestown Hospital for legal blood, which she refused.

Driving Under the Influence

Justin O’Malley, 28, Main Street, Doylestown, was arrested on Sunday, June 17 at approximately 1:20 AM after he was stopped for driving his vehicle with an expired registration plate.

During the traffic stop, O’Malley was noted to exhibit signs of intoxication. He was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he failed.

O’Malley was transported to Doylestown Hospital for legal blood.

Criminal Mischief

A representative from Paganini Pizza and Café reported that someone wrote graffiti on the outside of the building sometime between 1:00 AM and 10:00 AM on Sunday, June 17.

Theft

Amanda Durie, 22, Buckboard Circle, Warrington, was arrested on Wednesday, June 20 at approximately 7:08 PM for allegedly stealing $769.99 in cash and merchandise from the Bon-Ton, where she was an employee.

Durie was arraigned before District Justice Baum and remanded to Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of 10% of $5,000 bail.


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