The Alternative Press

Driving Under the Influence

CHATHAM TWP. - Robert Flor, 35, of Elmhurst New York was arrested for driving while intoxicated on January 17 at 11:16pm by Officer Michael Bloom.

Flor was pulled over on Southern Boulevard after Officer Bloom observed him operating his vehicle at a high rate of speed on Fairmount Avenue. Subsequent field sobriety tests determined that he was operating his vehicle while impaired.

Flor was transported to the Chatham Township police headquarters for processing. After being processed, Flor was charged with speeding, driving while intoxicated, open container of alcohol in a vehicle, careless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.

He was later released to the custody of a friend and is awaiting court action.

Bad Checks

CHATHAM TWP. - Angelo Crincoli, 54, of Livingston was charged by detectives on January 10 with issuing checks against an account in which he knew, or should have known, did not have sufficient funds to cover them. The checks, written to The Farm at Green Village for landscape supplies, totaled $555.00.

Crincoli was processed and later released from police custody on his own recognizance, and is awaiting court action.

“The Grand Parent Scam”

CHATHAM TWP. - On January 7, 2013 an 80-year-old township resident became another victim to what has come to be known as “the grandparent scam”. This scam resulted in a loss of $2,800.00 to the victim, who had wired money to a location in Peru where he was told his grandson had been arrested.

ALERT: DON’T BECOME A VICTIM

This is how it works:

• A grandparent receives a phone call (or sometimes an e-mail) from a “grandchild.” If it is a phone call, it’s often late at night or early in the morning when most people aren’t thinking that clearly.
• The caller, speaking in a low or scratchy voice will usually say a name and wait for the victim to respond with a grandchild’s name (Example- Robbie is that you?).
• The caller will then respond using that name. (Example- “Yes Grammy, its Robbie”).
• Usually, the person claims to be traveling in a foreign country and has gotten into a bad situation, like being arrested for drugs, getting in a car accident or being mugged…and needs money wired as soon as possible.
• The “grandson” doesn’t want his or her parents told. This is done so you will not confirm your grandson’s whereabouts.
• Sometimes, instead of the “grandchild” making the phone call, the criminal pretends to be an arresting police officer, a lawyer, a doctor at a hospital, or some other person. And we’ve also received complaints about the phony grandchild talking first and then handing the phone over to an accomplice in an effort to try and make this seem real.

This is an example of what’s come to be known as “the grandparent scam”—yet another fraud that preys on the elderly, this time by taking advantage of their love and concern for their grandchildren.

Don’t become a victim….. Contact your local police department for guidance should you receive a phone call from anyone requesting money to be wired.