Friday, July 25, 2014
Shop owner duped by man with sock full of cash
A business owner in Vineland, New Jersey, was left with a sock full of fake cash and no money in her register after a man claiming to be from Africa scammed her last week, according to police.
The scam began earlier this month when a man identifying himself as "Derrick" entered the Martinez Meat Market on Southwest Boulevard.
Police describe the suspect as dark skinned, approximately 38 years old and wearing a suit.
Derrick claimed to be visiting from Africa and asked owner Socorro Torres if she was interested in selling her business.
Derrick told Torres that he received a large sum of money after his father died in Africa and produced a sock from his waistband to show the business owner. Inside the sock was $10,000. "Torres stated she agreed to sell the business at which time Derrick provided her with a phone number (646-593-4085) and informed her that he would be in touch," the police report states. Ms Torres quickly began to receive phone calls from men with "African accents," police said, claiming to be brothers of Derrick and asking if he bought the business yet. "She refused to speak with them about it because they had nothing to do with the purchase," the police report stated.
"Derrick then contacted her and advised her not to provide them with any information." During the phone call, Derrick also advised Ms Torres not to contact the police because he could be arrested for the large sum on money, deported back to Africa and "executed" upon his return. About a week ago, police said, a black man with an African accent and whiskers tattooed onto his face entered the business. The man identified himself as Derrick's brother and questioned her about the purchase, although he advised her that the purchase has not been made yet. Derrick came back to Martinez Meat Market on July 17, police said, while in possession of the sock that previously contained $10,000.
The sock was for a down payment on the business, Derrick told Ms Torres, and he would bring the rest of the money the next day. "After handing Torres the sock, he requested all the money in the cash register since the business was now his," the police report stated. "Torres stated she handed the money from the cash register over to Derrick at which time Derrick left." After he left, Ms Torres opened up the sock that purportedly contained the $10,000 down payment. However, the sock no longer contained any money. Instead, the sock "was filled with wet construction paper cut in the shape of money," according to reports. There are no suspects at this time in the theft by deception, police said. Police did not say how much money was stolen.
Derrick told Torres that he received a large sum of money after his father died in Africa and produced a sock from his waistband to show the business owner. Inside the sock was $10,000. "Torres stated she agreed to sell the business at which time Derrick provided her with a phone number (646-593-4085) and informed her that he would be in touch," the police report states. Ms Torres quickly began to receive phone calls from men with "African accents," police said, claiming to be brothers of Derrick and asking if he bought the business yet. "She refused to speak with them about it because they had nothing to do with the purchase," the police report stated.
"Derrick then contacted her and advised her not to provide them with any information." During the phone call, Derrick also advised Ms Torres not to contact the police because he could be arrested for the large sum on money, deported back to Africa and "executed" upon his return. About a week ago, police said, a black man with an African accent and whiskers tattooed onto his face entered the business. The man identified himself as Derrick's brother and questioned her about the purchase, although he advised her that the purchase has not been made yet. Derrick came back to Martinez Meat Market on July 17, police said, while in possession of the sock that previously contained $10,000.
The sock was for a down payment on the business, Derrick told Ms Torres, and he would bring the rest of the money the next day. "After handing Torres the sock, he requested all the money in the cash register since the business was now his," the police report stated. "Torres stated she handed the money from the cash register over to Derrick at which time Derrick left." After he left, Ms Torres opened up the sock that purportedly contained the $10,000 down payment. However, the sock no longer contained any money. Instead, the sock "was filled with wet construction paper cut in the shape of money," according to reports. There are no suspects at this time in the theft by deception, police said. Police did not say how much money was stolen.
Lingerie-wearing lady sleeping in car allegedly tried to run over police officer
Police in Boca Raton, Florida, said they found a woman sleeping in her car wearing only lingerie, and when they asked her to get out of her car, she tried to run over an officer.
Police said that just before 10am on Monday, they got a call about a woman sleeping in a parking garage. Officers found Suzanne Morales, 45, sleeping in the car. They knocked on the car window, but Morales woke up and locked her car doors.
Officers asked her to step outside the car, but she refused. Police also said they could smell alcohol and suspected she might be drunk. They told Morales if she continued to refuse, they would knock out her window.
She started the car and tried to drive in reverse, almost hitting one of the officers. She then hit a police cruiser and was trapped. Morales is charged with obstructing an officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Police said that just before 10am on Monday, they got a call about a woman sleeping in a parking garage. Officers found Suzanne Morales, 45, sleeping in the car. They knocked on the car window, but Morales woke up and locked her car doors.
Officers asked her to step outside the car, but she refused. Police also said they could smell alcohol and suspected she might be drunk. They told Morales if she continued to refuse, they would knock out her window.
She started the car and tried to drive in reverse, almost hitting one of the officers. She then hit a police cruiser and was trapped. Morales is charged with obstructing an officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Men with and without underpants stole food from restaurant
Three men broke into a beach front restaurant in Bonita Springs, Florida, wearing nothing but their underpants and birthday suits.
Lou Bangert, general manager of Doc's Beach House, was at home on Sunday when his kitchen staff called him and asked him to check the restaurant's security footage from overnight. "I see the door open and three guys come in, and I go 'oh my god, these guys don't have any clothes on!'" Bangert said.
Besides one thief wearing a pair of tighty whities, the three burglars didn't have a stitch of clothing on them. Bangert says they broke in a little after 3am on Sunday and rifled around the food storage area for about 5 minutes. "They took three cases of hamburgers, three red peppers, and some bacon that was cooked up, and then they left," Bangert said.
YouTube link.
Bangert says the naked crooks saw that they were being filmed by one camera, so they moved it. But apparently they didn't notice another security camera that had an even better angle. It appears that they fled south on foot down the beach, leaving a little trail. Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers.
Lou Bangert, general manager of Doc's Beach House, was at home on Sunday when his kitchen staff called him and asked him to check the restaurant's security footage from overnight. "I see the door open and three guys come in, and I go 'oh my god, these guys don't have any clothes on!'" Bangert said.
Besides one thief wearing a pair of tighty whities, the three burglars didn't have a stitch of clothing on them. Bangert says they broke in a little after 3am on Sunday and rifled around the food storage area for about 5 minutes. "They took three cases of hamburgers, three red peppers, and some bacon that was cooked up, and then they left," Bangert said.
YouTube link.
Bangert says the naked crooks saw that they were being filmed by one camera, so they moved it. But apparently they didn't notice another security camera that had an even better angle. It appears that they fled south on foot down the beach, leaving a little trail. Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers.
Man stood in pond in attempt to avoid arrest
A handful of golfers discovered a new water hazard at the Eagle Hills Golf Course in Idaho on Wednesday afternoon — a 21-year-old man standing in a pond to avoid arrest, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office reports.
It took about 30 minutes for Ada County sheriff’s deputies to coax Nathan M. McCoy out of the water. Before he took to the pond, deputies chased the suspect for about a mile through the neighbourhood and onto the golf course. Once McCoy came out, deputies charged McCoy with a probation violation, resisting arrest and filing a false police report - all misdemeanors.
He is on probation for a stalking case from earlier this year that was resolved when he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of using a telephone to intimidate or harass. Wednesday’s incident began just before noon when ACSO deputies were investigating a report from McCoy that a woman violated a no-contact order against him at his home in Eagle.
Investigating deputies determined that wasn’t true, and McCoy ran at about 1:30pm, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies followed McCoy while officers from Boise and Garden City came over to help. After about 15 minutes of foot pursuit, McCoy went into the pond, which is near the fifth hole. The sheriff's office says one ball was hit into the pond during the incident.
It took about 30 minutes for Ada County sheriff’s deputies to coax Nathan M. McCoy out of the water. Before he took to the pond, deputies chased the suspect for about a mile through the neighbourhood and onto the golf course. Once McCoy came out, deputies charged McCoy with a probation violation, resisting arrest and filing a false police report - all misdemeanors.
He is on probation for a stalking case from earlier this year that was resolved when he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of using a telephone to intimidate or harass. Wednesday’s incident began just before noon when ACSO deputies were investigating a report from McCoy that a woman violated a no-contact order against him at his home in Eagle.
Investigating deputies determined that wasn’t true, and McCoy ran at about 1:30pm, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies followed McCoy while officers from Boise and Garden City came over to help. After about 15 minutes of foot pursuit, McCoy went into the pond, which is near the fifth hole. The sheriff's office says one ball was hit into the pond during the incident.
Fox found having a snooze on bus
A fox was found sleeping on the back seats of a city bus in Ottawa, Canada.
An OC Transpo employee noticed the fox make its way through an open front door of a bus parked at the industrial garage.
After taking a couple of photos of the sleeping fox, the employee reported his finding and police called the Ottawa Humane Society to come and retrieve the animal.
Once the Humane Society boarded the bus, the fox woke up took off like a fare jumper. Jim Greer, manager of Transit Fleet Maintenance, said these types of incidents are rare. In the past there have been reports of birds, and even a raccoon making their way onto out-of-service buses.
An OC Transpo employee noticed the fox make its way through an open front door of a bus parked at the industrial garage.
After taking a couple of photos of the sleeping fox, the employee reported his finding and police called the Ottawa Humane Society to come and retrieve the animal.
Once the Humane Society boarded the bus, the fox woke up took off like a fare jumper. Jim Greer, manager of Transit Fleet Maintenance, said these types of incidents are rare. In the past there have been reports of birds, and even a raccoon making their way onto out-of-service buses.
Huge rescue operation launched to save raccoon clinging to side of building
A young raccoon got into a bit of jam on Wednesday after scaling the outside of the RBC building in downtown London, Ontario, Canada.
A crowd had gathered on Richmond and King Streets after the raccoon climbed what looked like two storeys up the side of the building.
Some were holding a blanket to catch the raccoon in case it fell while others called for help.
Police, the fire department and animal control all arrived to help. But a London Hydro crew was eventually called in and used a cherry picker, bringing the raccoon down to the ground safely in their bucket.
Video.
A crowd had gathered on Richmond and King Streets after the raccoon climbed what looked like two storeys up the side of the building.
Some were holding a blanket to catch the raccoon in case it fell while others called for help.
Police, the fire department and animal control all arrived to help. But a London Hydro crew was eventually called in and used a cherry picker, bringing the raccoon down to the ground safely in their bucket.
Video.
Couple shocked by £500m electricity bill
Lancashire couple Nigel and Linda Brotherton were left shocked when they received an electricity bill for more than £500m.
They were also told that their monthly direct debit was going to increase from £87 to £53,480,062.00.
The Brothertons, who live in Roughlee, were told they didn’t need to do anything because the money would be taken automatically from their bank.
But accountant Nigel, 62, said: “There was just one problem with that – I didn’t quite have £53 million in my current account at the time.”
The problem arose after the Scottish Power electricity board installed a new meter at the couple’s 16th Century cottage home. Their electrician connected one of the wires the wrong way round so that instead of recording the number or units used it didn’t register any and continued showing zero. Nigel and Linda, 59, say that they did not notice because they paid their bill by direct debit each month and were never asked to give a reading. But after they recently switched suppliers to Npower, a man was sent round to read their meter.
When he entered a reading of 'zero', Npower’s computer wrongly assumed the dials must have gone all round the clock – and automatically flagged up the huge bill. Bizarrely, though, the online bill also showed that the couple had actually overpaid and were in credit by £1,362.69. But despite repeated phone calls to Npower, and contacting the regulator Ofgen, the couple are still waiting for a refund and written confirmation they won’t have to pay the £53,480,062.00 a month. Nigel said: “It’s a good job they didn’t actually try to take all that money from my bank account. Not only would it have gone way over my overdraft limit, but it could have brought down the bank.
“The electricity board have admitted it is a mistake and told us we don’t need to pay the money but we are still waiting for the refund they owe us.” Infamous Alice Nutter, one of the notorious Pendle witches who was hanged 400 years ago, is reputed to have once lived in the couple’s cottage. Nigel added: “Perhaps she put a curse on the meter. But if the electricity board doesn’t sort this out quick I’ll get her to put a curse on them.” A spokesman for Npower apologised and said: “This was clearly a mistake. Mr Brotherton’s meter was incorrectly wired by his previous supplier and not Npower, which had a knock-on effect to how we billed the account. His payments are set at £87, so no extra money will be taken and we have processed a refund which should be with Mr Brotherton soon.”
The problem arose after the Scottish Power electricity board installed a new meter at the couple’s 16th Century cottage home. Their electrician connected one of the wires the wrong way round so that instead of recording the number or units used it didn’t register any and continued showing zero. Nigel and Linda, 59, say that they did not notice because they paid their bill by direct debit each month and were never asked to give a reading. But after they recently switched suppliers to Npower, a man was sent round to read their meter.
When he entered a reading of 'zero', Npower’s computer wrongly assumed the dials must have gone all round the clock – and automatically flagged up the huge bill. Bizarrely, though, the online bill also showed that the couple had actually overpaid and were in credit by £1,362.69. But despite repeated phone calls to Npower, and contacting the regulator Ofgen, the couple are still waiting for a refund and written confirmation they won’t have to pay the £53,480,062.00 a month. Nigel said: “It’s a good job they didn’t actually try to take all that money from my bank account. Not only would it have gone way over my overdraft limit, but it could have brought down the bank.
“The electricity board have admitted it is a mistake and told us we don’t need to pay the money but we are still waiting for the refund they owe us.” Infamous Alice Nutter, one of the notorious Pendle witches who was hanged 400 years ago, is reputed to have once lived in the couple’s cottage. Nigel added: “Perhaps she put a curse on the meter. But if the electricity board doesn’t sort this out quick I’ll get her to put a curse on them.” A spokesman for Npower apologised and said: “This was clearly a mistake. Mr Brotherton’s meter was incorrectly wired by his previous supplier and not Npower, which had a knock-on effect to how we billed the account. His payments are set at £87, so no extra money will be taken and we have processed a refund which should be with Mr Brotherton soon.”
Social club manager chased after thief with her mop and bucket
The manager of a social club in Litherland, Merseyside, chased after a thief with a mop and bucket after he stole £200 from her handbag.
Yvonne Carey ran after the man after she watched him dip into her handbag behind the bar at the Our Lady Queen of Peace social club.
Yvonne’s friend Dee Grey, who was at the club organising a weight watchers class, then chased the thief down the path, but he was too quick for her.
Yvonne was planning to buy dollars with the cash ahead of a family holiday to Orlando. She said: “I had the mop and bucket in my hand when I saw him take the money. I yelled at him, then chased him to the door. I suppose he could have had a knife or anything.” The thief, who was caught on CCTV, was seen walking around the social club and the neighbouring priest’s house, before walking into the club.
YouTube link.
The offender is described as being white, aged in his 30s of a slight build. He was wearing sunglasses, dark tracksuit bottoms and a grey top. When he entered the club he walked straight behind the grab, took the money and then ran. Yvonne added: "The £200 was to buy some currency for a family holiday to Orlando. We have been saving for seven years. I am going with my son, and the grandchildren. I know I am not getting my £200, but at least he did not steal the money from a pensioner.
"And I am still going to Orlando." Yvonne, 58, has volunteered at the parish social club for over 25 years. A police spokesman confirmed they were appealing for information. He added: "We received a report that a man had stolen money from a member of staff’s handbag. Patrol attended and a search of the area was undertaken. An investigation into the matter is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police."
Yvonne was planning to buy dollars with the cash ahead of a family holiday to Orlando. She said: “I had the mop and bucket in my hand when I saw him take the money. I yelled at him, then chased him to the door. I suppose he could have had a knife or anything.” The thief, who was caught on CCTV, was seen walking around the social club and the neighbouring priest’s house, before walking into the club.
YouTube link.
The offender is described as being white, aged in his 30s of a slight build. He was wearing sunglasses, dark tracksuit bottoms and a grey top. When he entered the club he walked straight behind the grab, took the money and then ran. Yvonne added: "The £200 was to buy some currency for a family holiday to Orlando. We have been saving for seven years. I am going with my son, and the grandchildren. I know I am not getting my £200, but at least he did not steal the money from a pensioner.
"And I am still going to Orlando." Yvonne, 58, has volunteered at the parish social club for over 25 years. A police spokesman confirmed they were appealing for information. He added: "We received a report that a man had stolen money from a member of staff’s handbag. Patrol attended and a search of the area was undertaken. An investigation into the matter is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)