The following information is based on information submitted by the Hopewell Township Police Department for the week of August 1 to August 7, 2023:
Alexa: find my device.
On August 1 at 5:17pm. Officer Mandy Grey responded to a reported theft at an East Prospect Street address in Hopewell Borough. The victim reported that their Alexa device was stolen from inside their front porch. The incident occurred between July 31 and August 1. The total estimated value of the device was reported as $50. The investigation is ongoing.
Disputed refund takes dramatic turn at Lukoil
On July 26 at 2:37pm, Officer Maria Gavdanovich responded to the Lukoil Gas Station at the Pennington Circle for a report of criminal mischief. The victim reported that a male, later identified, came into the store and disputed the purchase of an electronic cigarette stating the device did not work. The individual reportedly demanded a refund. Ultimately, the individual pushed over a sunglass display case. The damage to the case and items inside were estimated at $1,418.98. The subject has been identified and charged with Criminal Mischief. The matter will be heard in Superior Court.
Victims discover fraudulent credit card purchases
On July 28, Officer Ryan Ludwig met with the victim of fraud in the HTPD lobby. The victim reported that they noticed fraudulent transactions on their Discover account. The transactions took place on July 2 and July 28 at a Target store in New York State. The transactions were cancelled and the victim suffered no monetary loss to date. The investigation is ongoing.
On August 2, Officer Ludwig responded the HTPD lobby to meet with a victim of fraud / theft. The victim reported that he received an email with regard to his Discover credit card and a purchase that was made at a Home Depot in Brooklyn, NY. The transaction was for $102. He also received notification that there was an attempt to open a Capital One card using his information. All accounts were closed and the victim suffered no monetary loss.
Nearly $50K fraudulently withdrawn from checking account
On July 28. at approximately 3pm, Officer Ludwig met with the victim of fraud and theft at the HTPD lobby. The victim stated that their checking account was compromised and a withdrawal of $49,000 was made against his account successfully. Two additional attempts at withdrawal were made after that for $100,000 and $150,000 but those were unsuccessful. The victim, ultimately, had their funds returned to their account and has monetary loss at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
$35K fraudulently transferred from victim bank account
On August 2, 2023 Officer Robert Voorhees met with the victim of theft in the HTPD lobby. The victim reported that someone accessed their PNC Bank account and transferred funds to another account. The victim reported that $35,000 was transferred from their account. Ultimately, the transfer was halted by the bank and the victim suffered no monetary loss. The investigation is ongoing.
Gas and dash at Gulf Station
On July 29, Officer Alvaro responded to the Gulf Gas Station on North Route 31 for a report of theft of gasoline. The attendant reported that a blue Chevrolet Equinox pulled up the gas pump and requested $30.00 in fuel to be paid in cash. Once the $30 of fuel was dispensed, the driver drove away. The investigation is ongoing.
Copper roof stolen from Harbourton Cemetery
On August 1, Officer Neil Hunt responded to the Harbourton Cemetery on Harbourton Rocktown Road for a reported theft. The reporting party stated that the copper roof was stolen off of a building located on the property. The incident took place between July 28 and August 1. The estimated value of the stolen portion of the roof was $6,000. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case may contact Detective Chris Collins 609-737-3100 ext 5790.
Mailbox molested on Poor Farm Road
On August 2 at approximately 4:30pm, Officer Alvaro responded to a Poor Farm Road address for a reported theft. The victim reported that mail was taken from inside their mailbox and dumped in hedges located on the northern end of Poor Farm Road. Three pieces of mail were found to be opened and it is unknown if (or how many) pieces of mail were taken. The victim was advised to continue to monitor their bank accounts, credit accounts, credit report, and report any suspicious activity. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Generator and ATV stolen on Harbourton Rocktown Road
On August 2 at approximately 4:35pm, Officer Vaccarino responded to a Harbourton Rocktown Road address for a reported burglary. The victim reported that their Honda generator and Honda ATV were stolen from an unlocked barn on the property. The incident took place between July 26 and August 2. The investigation is ongoing.
Chainsaw stolen from shed
On August 3, Officer Ludwig responded to a Hopewell Princeton Road address for a reported burglary and theft of a chainsaw. The victim reported that an older model white Stihl chainsaw was stolen from the shed on the property. The shed was secured by lock at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
Amazon account hacked
On August 3 at 4:32pm, Officer Paul Alvaro responded to a Denow Road address for a reported fraud and theft from the victim’s Amazon account. The victim stated that her Amazon account was hacked and the suspect purchased a $100 Amazon gift card that was sent to an e-mail address. The victim has suffered a $100 monetary loss in total at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
Assault at soccer game at Twin Pines
On August 4, 2023 Officer Gavdanovich responded to the Twin Pines athletic fields on Pennington Lawrenceville Road for a reported assault that occurred on the field. The victim reported they were assaulted by an unidentified individual during a pickup soccer game. The subject reportedly kicked and grabbed the victim before leaving the scene in a white work van. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
Man caught on camera stealing a lot of laundry detergent
On August 4, Officer Landon Zagacki responded to the Stop & Shop located on Denow Road for a reported shoplifting. Surveillance video provided by store security showed a male, later identified, taking 18 units of laundry detergent from the store and loading them into his vehicle without payment. The individual was charged with shoplifting. The matter will be heard in Superior Court.
Sobriety test leads to DUI arrest at Wells Fargo Bank
On August 7 at 1:23pm, Officer James Hoffman responded to the Wells Fargo Bank located on Washington Crossing Pennington Road for a reported suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer Hoffman made contact with the driver of the vehicle. Due to signs of impairment, the individual was directed to perform field sobriety testing on scene. The individual was then was placed under arrest for DUI, transported to police headquarters for processing, and later released. The matter will be heard in Municipal Court.
