CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.
Prepared By: Sergeant James C. Petrik #46, Press Information Officer
Prepared On: Monday, March 11th, 2019
Drug Possession, Public Drunkenness
On Thursday, March 7th, 2019, at 11:35pm, officers investigated a disturbance in the 400 block of Jacksonville Road. As a result, Shaun Fite, 37 years old, from Haycock, was arrested for Public Drunkenness, Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was processed and released from custody pending a summons to court.
Burglary (commercial)
On Wednesday, March 6th, 2019, at 11:45pm, officers investigated a report of a burglar alarm at a pharmacy in the 400 block of S. York Road. Upon arrival officers found that actors forced entry to the business by prying open the front door. The actors fled prior to the arrival of police and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who observed anyone or anything suspicious in the area at the time are asked to call the Hatboro Police Department at 215-675-2832.
Fraud
On Wednesday, February 27th, 2019, a resident reported they were the victim of a PECO scam. The victim received a phone call that displayed on the phone’s caller identification as PECO. The scam caller advised the victim that their electric service was being disconnected if they didn’t pay $1500 immediately. The victim was then provided directions and instructions to make payment via a Bitcoin Kiosk in Philadelphia. As a result, the victim unwittingly deposited $1500 into a Bitcoin (cybercurrency) wallet that can be located anywhere in the world and is extremely difficult to trace. With the increasing use of cybercurrency, including by criminals, residents are reminded to be extra cautious making payments by methods they are not familiar with or have never used before. The name/number displayed by a phone’s caller identification system is easily spoofed by scammers and can be made to display whatever a scammer chooses. When residents receive unusual or unsolicited calls it is recommended they search out a legitimate customer service number for the utility or agency (internet search, phone book, information, etc.) and contact them directly prior to providing any personal information. If a resident is still unsure about the call or request, they can contact their local police department for guidance.
Press Release Concluded