The following is based on information provided by the Pennington Police Department:
Identity thief tries to buy car in Pennington resident’s name
On July 25, at approximately 6:45pm, Officer D’Ascoli responded to a residence located on Walking Purchase Drive for a report of Identity Theft. The victim reported to Officer D’Ascoli that on this date an unknown actor attempted to open a line of credit in the victim’s name to purchase a vehicle from a local dealer. The investigation determined that the transaction did not happen in person but was attempted through an online application. This investigation is ongoing.
Pennington resident reports credit card fraud
On July 29, at approximately 4pm, an East Delaware Avenue resident came into Pennington Police Department headquarters to report that an unknown actor/s attempted to open three (3) credit cards in his name. The victim was told to contact his banks and credit card companies along with the credit reporting agencies to alert them as to what had transpired.
Child sexual assault investigation underway
On August 2, a Charleston, South Carolina medical facility contact this police department to advise us of a possible sexual assault that occurred several years ago involving a juvenile victim who was seven (7) years old at the time of the alleged crime. Details on this incident are being worked out by law enforcement agencies from both South Carolina and Pennington. This investigation is on going at this time.
Teens ring and dash up and down East Curtis Avenue
On August, 4, at approximately 10:45pm Officer Caruso was dispatched to the area of East Curlis Avenue for the report of juveniles in the area ringing door bells and running from the residents. Officer Caruso was able to make contact with several juveniles in the area who admitted to ringing the door bells and running. The juveniles were turned over to guardians with a warning.
Victim gives personal info to fake computer rep in scam
On August 14, at approximately 2:45pm Officer Caruso was dispatched to an Academy Court residence. Upon Officers Caruso’s arrival he was met by the resident who stated that she had received a call from an unknown male actor who claimed to work for “Apple”. The male told the victim that her computer had to be updated and the victim in return gave the male actor a lot of personal information. The victim realized that she was being scammed and was able to contact her bank and credit cards and have all fraudulent transaction reversed and the accounts frozen. This is currently still being investigated.
Pennington bike thieves apprehended
On August 19, Officer Caruso was dispatched to two different residences for stolen bikes, one on Vannoy Avenue and another on Sked Street. A short time later, Officer Peterson and Officer Pauciullo of the Hopewell Township Police Department noticed two (2) males riding bikes on Diverty Road. These subjects and the bikes fit the description that Officer Caruso conveyed. After further investigation, a juvenile and an adult male were placed under arrest. The adult was charged accordingly and was also found to have an active NCIC warrant for his arrest. The adult was processed and then transported to Bergen County Jail by the Mercer County Sheriffs where he was lodged on the warrant. The juvenile was released to a parent. Further charges may be issued pending the police investigation.
