Crime Watch Report - November 2018

Area 1- Coordinator- Katie Fazio
11-02-18. A S. Linwood Ave. resident received a scam phone call from a male who stated that he worked for "My Tech." He offered services to protect the resident's computer and kept him on the phone for 3 hours. Money was paid to this individual however the resident later learned that he was scammed out of the money.
11-23-18. A residence on Promenade St. was entered and electrical lines were cut inside of it and pieces of the breaker box were also removed. A possible suspect has been developed and the investigation is ongoing.

Area 2 – Coordinator-Sandy Gibson 
11-01-18. A vehicle parked on Lincoln Ave. was found to have green paint on it.
11-19-18. A suspicious male who identified himself as the "cable guy" approached a house on Grace St. but left when a resident questioned who he was.
11-20-18. A resident from E. Steuben St. reported that a package may have been stolen from his front porch after it was delivered.

Area 3– Coordinator- Diane McQuaide
11-01-18. A business on Noble Ave. received a fraudulent phone call from a person pretending to be from Duquesne Light Company.
11-05-18. It was reported on this date that a trailer hitch and pin were stolen from a truck while it was parked at the Sunoco Station on 11-01-2018.
11-07-18. Person(s) unknown set off firecrackers/fireworks next to the Sunoco Station on Noble Ave. (ongoing issue at closing time).
11-08-18. A Noble Ave. resident reported receiving a suspicious call from a male with an Indian accent claiming to be from Publisher's Clearing House and wanted to know when the resident will be home.
11-08-18. A parked vehicle was struck by an unknown vehicle on White Ave.

Area 4- Coordinator- Amy Buchman (acting)
11-24-18. A parked vehicle was struck within the past day on N. Emily St.

Area 5- Coordinator- Mary Fleming
11-02-18. A firearm was stolen from an unlocked truck in the 1500 block of Barr Ave. (truck was parked in rear alley).
11-07-18. A suspicious male was observed twice in the 1600 block of Barr Ave. The reporting party described the male as a white male wearing khakis, a red hoodie/jacket and a red jacket. The male has shoulder length blonde hair and was taking photos of properties in the area.

Area 6- Coordinator- Bill & Janet Finlay Jr.
11-14-18. An attempted burglary was reported in the 200 block of W. Steuben St. The actor attempted to enter through a window but was unable to due to locks.
11-26-18. The CVS Pharmacy was robbed of prescription medication by a white male in his 30 wearing a blue hoodie, black winter jacket, black jacket, black pants and a black mask or scarf. The actor mentioned having a firearm but it was not seen by the employee
11-26-18. A Thomas St. resident reported receiving the IRS scam phone call that she will be arrested. 
11-29-18. A parked vehicle was hit and run in front of the Giant Eagle.
11-29-18. A parked vehicle was hit and run in front of the Dollar Tree.

Tips/advice:

Please request signatures from delivery services when you are expecting a package or take other actions to ensure that your package arrives safely and stays at your address. This is the time of the year when bad elves troll the streets looking for quick and easy items to steal off of your porches. Keep your gifts safe so that all that these bums get for Christmas is a lump of coal.

This time of year is also a good time to closely monitor your accounts and credit history. With the influx on online shopping, your personal information is becoming more and more prone to being stolen and/or companies databases being breached/hacked into stealing your information. Only shop and use websites that you are familiar with. Type in the name of the website yourself and do NOT click on advertisements for a website while you are on another website. This in one tactic of re-directing you to a website that may jeopardize your personal information if you provide it.

Do NOT let people access your computer and it's files over the phone if you receive a phone call from someone requesting access to your computer. Only grant access to another person remotely if you are certain that they are who they say that they are.

Do NOT leave your firearms in your vehicle, especially if you leave your vehicle unlocked. Crafton PD has taken too many reports over the year of firearms being stolen from vehicles that were left unlocked. The vehicle is NOT a preferable place to store your firearm.

Keep your holiday gifts out of sight, whether it be in your vehicle or your residence. 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LOCK YOUR VEHICLES AND YOUR RESIDENCE (DOORS AND WINDOWS).

Make sure to follow the Crafton Police Department on Facebook for the most up to date information.