Shoplifting Arrests at Denow Road Stop & Shop
On February 3, Officer Ryan Finnegan responded to a reported shoplifting at the Stop & Shop on Denow Road. At the time of the call, the suspect vehicle description was provided, and officers identified the vehicle and conducted a stop on Denow Road. The vehicle, a gray Buick Encore, was occupied by two subjects. Confirmation was made through surveillance and a vehicle search was conducted and merchandise was found. Additionally, multiple warrants were found on both subjects from various jurisdictions. Both parties were arrested on scene and transported to Hopewell Township Police Department (HTPD) for processing. One party was later transferred to Mercer County Correctional Center and the other was turned over to Ewing Twp Police for the outstanding warrants.
Scammer Poses as Bank and Police in Failed Fraud Attempt
On February 4, at 9:49am Officer Finnegan met with the victim of fraud who stated that on the prior day she received a call from what she thought was her bank. The person on the line directed the victim to remove funds from her account and bring them physically to a specific branch of the bank. The victim was given an address and followed the directions. The victim ended up at a gas station, and there was no bank in sight. The victim then received a call from someone identifying themselves as a Hopewell Township Police Officer from the “Fraud Department” stating they were on their way to her location to help. The victim became worried and left. There was no loss incurred in this incident.
Thieves Posing as Utility Workers Steal Copper Wiring
On February 7, Officer James Klesney responded to a Pennington Rocky Hill Road address for a reported theft of copper. The victim reported that his internet service went out a few days prior, and he spotted two individuals in front of the residence who were ultimately posing as Verizon workers. The subjects cut the fiber optic cable to the residence, including the copper wire which is run adjacent to the fiber optic line. The victim provided further information on the subjects involved and vehicle description. The copper wire was valued at $1,000. The damaged fiber optic cable was valued at $12,500 in repair. The incident is under investigation.
Shoplifting at Pennington ShopRite Leads to Arrest
On February 8, Officer Klesney responded to a report of shoplifting at the ShopRite of Pennington. Loss prevention stated that they had a person stopped for shoplifting, who was caught with merchandise as she exited the store. Officer Klesney arrived on the scene. There was $203.90 in merchandise found on the subject, who was arrested on the scene and transported to HTPD for processing. She was later released from custody. The matter will be heard in Municipal Court.
Suspect Flees After Attempted Shoplifting at Stop & Shop
On February 9, Officer Eric Lei responded to a reported attempted shoplifting at the Stop & Shop. Loss prevention was able to recover the items that the subject attempted to take, but the subject left the scene prior to police arrival. Store surveillance showed the individual entering the store and taking approximately $400 in baby items without paying. The subject was seen leaving the parking lot in a vehicle. The vehicle information and surveillance video were supplied to police for follow-up investigation.
Bank Account Fraud Reported, No Loss Incurred
On February 10, Sgt Mark Panzano met with the victim of fraud in the HTPD lobby. The victim reported that their bank account was compromised, and someone used their account to pay an unknown Citibank credit card bill for $2,908. The incident was reported to the bank and no financial loss was sustained in this case.
Fraudulent Verizon Account Charges Resolved
On February 11, Officer Maria Gavdanovich met with the victim of fraud in the HTPD lobby. The victim stated that they received a bill in the mail from Verizon showing two new phones and phone lines added to the account. The victim did not add these phones or lines to their account and reported them as fraudulent. The phones and lines were ultimately removed from the victim’s account, along with the charges. There was no financial loss reported in this case.
Criminal Mischief at WildFlowers Restaurant
On February 13, Officer Gavdanovich met with the victim of criminal mischief in the HTPD lobby. The victim, WildFlowers Restaurant, reported that a door at the establishment was damaged by an individual on February 2 when a male subject was seen on video damaging the door. The estimated cost of the repair was reported as $1,300.
Dine-and-Dash at WildFlowers Restaurant Under Investigation
On February 16, Sgt Adam Liotta responded to Wildflowers Restaurant for a report of theft. The manager reported a party of four adults and one child entered the restaurant, ordered and ate their meal, and left without payment. The total bill was reported as $247.74. Further information regarding the parties involved was reported to the officers on the scene for further follow-up investigation. The matter is under investigation.
Burglary Linked to Online Estate Sale Listing
On February 22, Officer Panzano responded to a Mountain Church Rd address for a reported burglary. The victim reported that the home was broken into using forced entry, and various items were stolen from the home. The items were notedly listed as part of an estate sale online. A total inventory and loss incurred is still being reported to the officer. The investigation is active and ongoing.
Submitted by the Hopewell Township Police Department
