Police Reports: Big Y Employee Stops Scam, Saves Elderly Couple $2,100

Scam Averted

A Big Y Supermarket employee saved an elderly Monroe couple from being scammed out of $2,100 on Friday. Police said they had gotten a phone call from someone telling them he was an attorney from the American Consulate in Mexico City and that their grandson was involved in a motor vehicle accident and being held until he paid for the damages.

When the couple tried to send the money out from Big Y via Western Union, the employee stopped them and called police, according to the report. 

"Fortunately this employee was on the ball and a call to the grandson found that he was safe and sound," Lt. Brian McCauley said Monday.

Beware: Another Scam

A Hurd Avenue woman told police Saturday that she received three phone calls from a 202 area code. In one of them, a man with "an Arabic accent" told her he was from the government and wanted to send her $5,600, but only needed some more personal information, including her birth date, according to the report.

"The complainant said, 'Well, if you know my address, send me a check,' and hung up," Lt. Brian McCauley said.

When the woman called back, a recording told her to "Enter the magic number you are trying to reach," police said.

 A Stolen Purse

A 19-year-old Dunkin Donuts employee reported her $175 Coach Wristlet stolen at 6:45 Sunday night.

Police said she arrived at the Route 34 store when there were no customers inside, left her Wristlet on the front counter, and walked to the back of the store to check her work schedule. When she came back, it was gone.

The owner reviewed surveillance camera footage and saw a woman come into the Dunkin Donuts, take the Wristlet, and walk out, police said.

The Wristlet contained $75 in cash, credit cards and keys, according to the report.

Seats Sliced

A 19-year-old Trumbull man reported vandalism to his 2001 Toyota Corolla's seats at 4:12 p.m. Sunday.

Police said someone entered the unlocked vehicle, which had been parked overnight in front of a friend's house on Robin Lane, and made a 12-inch-long cut on the driver's seat and three large cuts on the passenger's seat. The damage was estimated at $600.

Graffiti on Her Door

A 71-year-old Cutlers Farm Road woman reported a nasty message left on her front door in white spray-paint Wednesday night, telling her to quit her job.

Police said the victim works in Trumbull and that a co-worker had recently filed a complaint against her, which is under investigation there.

Police are investigating the vandalism here.