A woman was scammed in York County by a man claiming to be a U.S. Attorney in Ecuador. When people ask for money over the phone, one can never be too careful. Always ask questions, and if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, said Capt. James Richardson of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office.
York County
Elderly Woman Scammed Out of More Than $6,900
The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a woman wired more than $6,900 to a man claiming to be a U.S. Attorney in Ecuador.
The woman reported the incident after realizing she may have been scammed when she called the man after wiring the money. According to an activity log on the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, the man told the victim he was representing her favorite grandchild who was arrested in that country.
The man told her she needed to send $2,950 for bail. The victim then went to the Tabb Wal-Mart where she sent the money. When the victim called the man to confirm he had received the money, he said she needed to send an additional $4,000 as the grandchild had been charged with an additional drug offense.
He told her to use a different store to wire the money, which she did, sending $4,000 from a Wal-Mart in Newport News. She called the man later in the day but he did not answer. Deputies contacted the victim’s grandchild, confirming he had not been arrested and that he was not in Ecuador.
The posting went on to say that is a common scam that primarily targets elderly people. Once investigators determine the money has left the U.S., there is nothing more that can be done. If the money is claimed at a Western Union in the U.S., investigators can contact law enforcement in that jurisdiction, though the posting said deputies have never been successful identifying the offenders in those cases.
Capt. James Richardson of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office said it’s crucial to verify information before doing anything.
“Ask detailed questions on the phone, ask yourself if the case really makes sense,” Richardson said. “Be especially wary of financial transactions involving the Internet or wiring money.”
He said if a financial transaction sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
“If you’re not sure, call law enforcement,” Richardson said. “We have officers who will take a quick look. We’ve heard all the scams before.”
Man Charged with Stealing Yard Equipment
Deputies arrested 34-year-old Joseph Tringle on Sept. 24 and charged him in connection to three cases in York County where yard equipment was stolen.
Lt. Dennis Ivey of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office said Tringle allegedly took a Coleman generator from a residence on the 100 block of Mobjack Loop before stealing yard equipment from a lawn and landscaping company on the 500 block of St. Clair Circle later that day.
Deputies were able to connect the thefts to a maroon Toyota truck that belonged to Tringle. They found him at a hotel in Newport News, where he was arrested.
He is facing two felony counts of grand larceny and two felony counts of burglary. Some of the property was recovered, though Ivey couldn’t specify exactly what was.
Woman Charged with Repeatedly Burglarizing ABC Store
A woman accused of stealing liquor from an ABC store on the 200 block of Village Avenue at least nine times in the past year was arrested by deputies Sept. 25.
Ivey said 47-year-old Tara Williams was connected to each of the thefts from video surveillance. At about 4:15 p.m. Sept. 25, she was seen stealing two bottles of alcohol, Ivey said. Deputies found her behind a nearby Kroger, where she threw a bottle that was later recovered. She gave a false name at first, but eventually deputies were able to determine her identity.
She is facing nine counts of shoplifting as well as one charge of falsely identifying herself to law enforcement and one charge for possession of marijuana. Ivey said deputies found a small amount of marijuana in her bag.
Red Barn Burglary Suspect Arrested
Deputies have arrested a man believed to have burglarized the Red Barn on the 6000 block of George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) on Sept. 10.
Adam Charles Patierno turned himself into the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail on Oct. 4 after warrants were obtained for his arrest. He is charged with burglary, grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell and possession of burglary tools.
Patierno is accused of breaking into the Red Barn at about 11:45 p.m. Sept. 10, where he allegedly stole several items, including lottery tickets. About an hour later, he cashed in several winning lottery tickets at a Hampton 7-11 that were determined to have been stolen from Red Barn.
James City County
Police Investigate Reported Sexual Assault on Monticello Avenue
The James City County Police Department is investigating after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted on a stretch of Monticello Avenue near Monticello Marketplace.
The woman told police she had encountered some juveniles she knew. She said one of them grabbed her breast and buttocks and tried to pull her onto his lap. While doing so, he said he had condoms and he wanted to have sex with her, said Stephanie Williams-Ortery of the James City County Police Department.
The victim told the male “no” several times and attempted to get away from him before she eventually got away. The case remains under investigation. Williams-Ortery said no arrests have been made as of Friday afternoon.
In Case You Missed it
- Two women were arrested in a prostitution sting in Williamsburg.
- Three students at Warhill High School were charged for allegedly possessing narcotics on school grounds.
- A home healthcare worker in James City County was charged after she allegedly used the check card of one of her patients afflicted with dementia.
- A man charged in the dragging death of another man in May has pleaded not guilty.
- Deputies from the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office are investigating after a man robbed the Big Lots in Grafton.
