DATE/TIME: February 6, 2020
INCIDENT: Public Safety Announcement
LOCATION: City of Needles
SUMMARY:
Needles Police and Sheriff’s Department would like to provide information to our residents to help prevent them from falling victim to recent crimes.
Needles Police and Sheriff’s Department have investigated incidents involving residents being scammed by an unknown person calling on the telephone. This person tends to target the elderly, pretending to be their nephew or other family members. The subject claims he is either stranded or has been arrested in Mexico and needs money, sent via Western Union, to help them.
Needles Police and Sheriff’s Department would like to remind our residents to use caution if they receive a similar telephone call. Please contact your family members immediately to verify the accuracy of the information being provided by the caller.
Additionally, during the past several months, several citizens have been a victim of theft from their vehicles. Due to voter-approved initiatives, (Prop 47, Prop 57, and AB109) many criminals have resorted to stealing items from parked vehicles, due to the reduced consequences they receive for committing non-violent crimes.
Detectives have observed a trend among these cases, which could have easily been prevented. Detectives would like to remind citizens to always lock their vehicles. Do not leave purses, wallets, large items or other items of value in your vehicle or in plain view.
Refer: Sergeant Patrick Murch
Station: Needles Police and Sheriff’s Department
Phone No: (760) 326-9205
JOHN MCMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
