POLICE: Rash of Vehicle Break-Ins, Telephone Scams Reported

RASH OF VEHICLE BREAK-INS

Ellwood City Police Department are requesting residents LOCK their vehicles when parked outside their residences. On Sunday night, December 9, 2018 into Monday morning, December 10, 2018 ECPD took reports of 10 UNLOCKED vehicles broken into in the Meadowridge Drive, Skyline Drive, Aetna Drive, and York Street areas. All of the thefts were from unlocked vehicle.

ECPD states that the thefts occurred sometime after 9:00pm and prior to 5:00am. Police are asking any residents in this area with video surveillance cameras contact ECPD if they have footage that will assist police.

TELEPHONE SCAMS REPORTED

Ellwood City Police Department wishes to advise residents of recent telephone scams reported by residents.

The scam involves residents (usually elderly) receiving a phone call advising their son, daughter, grandson, and/or granddaughter or other loved ones have been arrested and currently are in jail. The caller states that their loved one is in need of money and/or bail/bond. The resident receiving the call usually blurts out the grandson, son, Daughter, and/or granddaughter or other loved ones name, thus providing the scammer valuable information making the scammers story more believable.

DO NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION TO THE CALLER, THIS INCLUDES NAMES!  The scammer(caller) then attempts to convince the resident to send money usually thru gift cards and/or wiring money thru Western Union or other Wired Fund companies.

RESIDENTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT POLICE AND OR BAILBONDSMAN WILL NEVER REQUEST FUNDS THRU WIRED SERVICES OR GIFT CARDS. IN FACT THE POLICE AND/OR BAILBONDSMAN WILL NEVER CALL YOU DIRECTLY TO SOLICIT MONEY/FUNDS. IF RESIDENTS RECEIVE CALLS THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE LOCAL POLICE AND LOVED ONES FAMILY MEMBERS DIRECTLY TO VERIFY ANY TYPE OF UNSOLICITED PHONE CALLS.  DO NOT TAKE ANY UNSOLICITED PHONE CALLS AS ANYTHING LESS THAN A SCAMMER ATTEMPTING TO GET MONEY!

IF IN DOUBT CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE (724) 758-9935, or 24 hours a day at (724) 758-7564.