HomeNewsMt Laurel NewsFake immigration service call scams man out of $5,300 in gift cards...

Fake immigration service call scams man out of $5,300 in gift cards in Mt Laurel Police Report

The suspect also told the victim if he did not follow his directions that he would kidnap and hurt the victim’s parents in India.

The following reports are on file with the Mt. Laurel Police Department:

On March 2, Mt. Laurel Police say a victim reported that he received a phone call from a suspect who identified himself as an agent from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

According to police, the suspect advised the victim that his immigration status is in jeopardy due to him having pending criminal charges in India.

Police say the suspect then stated that the victim is on house arrest until the matter is cleared and the victim reported that the suspect told him if he does not follow his directions that he will kidnap and hurt his parents in India.

According to police, the victim reported that he was directed to go to various stores and purchase Apple iTunes gift cards. The victim purchased $5,300 worth of cards and gave the pin codes for each card to the suspect.

Police say later the victim learned that he had been scammed.

Additional reports also on file with the Mt. Laurel Police Department:

At 11:56 p.m. on March 9, Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Church Road near Country Club Parkway. During the stop officers arrested Lauren C. Gershman, age 20, of Mt. Laurel. She was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and released pending a court hearing.

At 7:47 a.m. on March 8, Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 73 near I295. During the stop officers arrested Nicholas C. Sheard, age 36, of Southampton. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and released pending a court hearing.

A victim reported that a window on his vehicle was broken during the overnight hours of March 7 into March 8 while it was parked on Courtney Way.

A victim reported that someone stole his grandson’s iPad at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 while they were at McDonald’s, 3049 Route 38. The iPad was briefly left unattended on a table when it was stolen.

At 12:50 p.m. on March 7, Mt. Laurel Police responded to Exxon, 3051 Route 38, for a lewdness complaint. The investigation revealed Kyle T. Snope, age 21, of Hainesport, exposed his genitals to a female employee. He was arrested, charged with lewdness and released pending a court hearing.

At 12:38 p.m. on March 5, Mt. Laurel Police responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods on Nixon Drive for a shoplifting report. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Nicholas Davydow, age 42, of Newfield. He was found in possession of tools used to defeat anti-shoplifting devices. He also had multiple warrants for his arrest and had been barred from the store in the past. He was charged with shoplifting, possession of an anti-shoplifting device, and trespassing. He was committed to the Burlington County Jail.

At 1:56 a.m. on March 5, Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Church Road near Arbor Way. During the stop, officers arrested Erik A. Spencer, age 37, of Marlton, Dana M. Brown, age 27, of Marlton and Michael K. Mitchell, age 35, of Philadelphia. All three had warrants for their arrest. In addition, Spencer was charged with hindering his own apprehension after he provided officers a false name, Brown was charged with possession of heroin, possession of a hypodermic syringe, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were committed to the Burlington County Jail. Mitchell was released after satisfying his warrant.

At 5:22 a.m. on March 4, a taxi driver was letting out a passenger on Teal Lane near South Church Street. The driver was going to make change for the passenger for the $60 fare. When he held out the money the passenger grabbed it and ran from the cab. The suspect stole $30 and failed to pay the $60 fare. Suspect was described as a male in his 20’s, 5’9” with a heavy build. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and khaki pants.

At 1:43 a.m. on March 4, Mt. Laurel Police responded to the Wawa at 1115 Route 73 for a shoplifting. It was reported that a male and female stole $51 worth of Redbull energy drink. They were identified and arrested on March 5. James A. Stewart III, age 52, of Willingboro, and Sheron Wilson, age 32, of Burlington, were both charged with shoplifting. Wilson was also charged with hindering her own apprehension after she provided a false name to officers. Stewart had multiple active warrants. Both subjects were committed to the Burlington County Jail.

At 8:34 p.m. on March 3, Mt. Laurel Police responded to a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Route 73 near Rogers Walk. The pedestrian was transported to Virtua Hospital in Marlton where she was pronounced dead. The investigation revealed that Christina Cooper, age 42, of Mt. Laurel, was crossing Route 73 north when a northbound vehicle struck her. Although Cooper was in a crosswalk, traffic for Route 73 had a green signal requiring pedestrians to yield to traffic.

At 1 p.m. on March 3, a 20-year-old male victim from Riverside reported that another subject punched him in the face following a road rage incident on Church Road near Springdale Road. The suspect was identified as a 55-year-old man from Delanco. The victim did not wish to pursue charges.

On Nov. 6, Mt. Laurel Police investigated a credit card fraud at PC Richards on Nixon Drive. The investigation led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Raymond D. Lewis Jr., age 21, of Willingboro. On March 2, Lewis was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit credit card fraud, falsely make a credit card, and possession of a falsely made credit card. He was committed to the Burlington County Jail.

At 7:47 a.m. on March 2, Mt. Laurel Police responded to a hotel on Diemer Drive for the report of a drug overdose. The responding officers administered Narcan to the unconscious 29-year-old male and reversed the overdose. He was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

At 1:59 a.m. on March 2, Mt. Laurel Police responded to a hotel on Diemer Drive for a check on the wellbeing of a guest. During the investigation, officers arrested Joseph M. Fiume, age 55, of Maple Shade. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of hypodermic syringes. He was committed to the Burlington County Jail.

On March 1, Mt. Laurel Police responded to the Shoprite on Nixon Drive for suspicious online activity. Store management reported that they received an online order for $308.37 that they suspected was being paid for with a fraudulent credit card. Officers arrested Michael Conway Jr., age 30, of Elkins Park, Pa. when he arrived to pick up the merchandise. The investigation revealed that the credit card was fraudulent. He was charged with conspiracy to commit theft by deception and conspiracy to commit computer criminal activity.

At 1:18 p.m. on March 1, Mt. Laurel Police responded to a shoplifting in progress at Wegmans on Centerton Road. The investigation led to the arrest of Joseph Southrey, age 35, of Philadelphia. He was charged with shoplifting $192 worth of baby formula on Feb. 10 and the same amount on March 1. He was released pending a court hearing.

Between Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, a Stihl gas powered concrete saw was stolen from a trailer that was parked at a hotel on the 1100 block of Route 73. A lock was cut to gain access to the trailer.

At 3:27 p.m. on Feb. 27, Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Church Road near Country Club Parkway. During the stop officers arrested Zeki Donuk, age 57, of Springfield. Donuk refused to cooperate with the officers during the stop claiming that he was not subject to state law since he was a sovereign citizen. Donuck was charged with obstructing the administration of law and resisting arrest. He was also found to have an outstanding arrest warrant. Donuk was released pending a court hearing after satisfying his warrant.

On Feb. 5 at 3:24 p.m., Mt. Laurel Police responded to the area of Route 73 and Church Road for the report of a subject driving a vehicle exposing his genitalia. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Joseph Warrick, age 29, of Southampton. On Feb. 27 the man was charged with lewdness and released pending a court hearing.

At 11:52 p.m. on Feb. 25, Mt. Laurel Police responded to a hotel on the 1100 block of Route 73 for a narcotics complaint. The investigation led to the arrest of Antoine W. Hopkins, age 35, of Philadelphia. He was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released pending a court hearing.

At 6:58 p.m. on Feb. 25, Mt. Laurel police responded to a narcotics complaint at a residence on the 100 block of Bentley Drive. During the investigation officers arrested resident Harold T. Beatty, age 25 for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. He was released pending a court hearing.

At 11:34 p.m. on Feb. 24, Mt. Laurel Police responded to Prospectors, 3050 Route 38, for a fight. The investigation revealed that several females got into a physical altercation inside of the bar. All were asked to leave by the staff prior to police arrival. Officers were not able to identify all of the involved parties and no complaints were signed.

At 5:48 p.m. on Feb. 24, Mt. Laurel Police responded to the Wells Fargo Bank, 4580 Church Road, for a fraudulent check complaint. The investigation revealed that Daniel R. Custodio, age 25, of Mt. Laurel, opened an account and deposited a $720 fraudulent check on Feb. 21. He withdrew the money prior to the bank discovering the check was fraudulent. Custodio was arrested, charged with uttering a fraudulent check and released pending a court hearing.

On Feb. 13, Mt. Laurel Police conducted an investigation into check fraud. The victim reported several of her checks were missing and the bank reported suspicious activity. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Michael J. Schnappauf, age 27, of Mt. Laurel. He was charged with theft of checks and uttering a forged check and released pending a court hearing.

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