Police Chief Warns of Scams, Car Thefts

The Newtown Township police chief on Wednesday reiterated the importance of locking cars after a rash of thefts from vehicles has occurred in the area.

In his report to the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, Police Chief Rick Pasqualini said there has been a pattern of unlocked cars being broken into lately “and it’s unnecessary."

“If people would lock their cars and put their valuables of out sight, it would prevent a lot of the grief they’re going through,” Pasqualini said.

Pasqualini also advised residents to be wary of phone and internet scams, which are also on the rise. “If you have a telephone or a computer, you are a potential victim,” he said. 

If someone calls you and asks for personal information about your bank account, “they’re trying to scam you,” the chief said. He suggests that if this happens, hang up and notify your bank.

Scams aren’t just carried out over the phone. The chief also warned of internet scams in which people send emails saying you’ve won prizes. But when you download the email, your computer gets a virus.

Pasqualini said he sees these types of scams carried out on local residents each month. “People scam tens of thousands of dollars because of one simple mistake,” he said.