Jamestown Police warn of lotto scam
JAMESTOWN - Investigators from the Jamestown Police Department are investigating an incident involving a lottery scam targeted toward an elderly Jamestown resident.
The resident reportedly received a letter in the mail stating that she had won $1.5 million. The letter than gave a number to call where she would be given further instructions. The victim in this case never called the phone number. On Monday, the company called her at home explaining that she had won the cash. The victim was advised over the phone that she had to do the following: go to a specific local electronics store and to purchase a gift card and to load it with $250 plus a $4.95 activation fee. The card is then to be given to a delivery person that will come to the victim's home at a specified time set up by the scam company. The victim was advised that she will be given a package from the delivery person and that a limousine with a lawyer and an accountant would show up to give the victim her winnings of $1.5 million.
This call was received by the victim while a close relative was in the home and that person was able to intervene without any loss to the victim. Anyone who received this letter and or this phone call is asked to contact their local police department so that it can be verified and investigated. Legitimate lottery companies will not require any form of payment up front for their winnings.
Trooper terminated after administrative hearing
Effective June 22, the State Police terminated Trooper Titus Z. Taggart, 41, after an administrative hearing. Taggart was previously suspended as a result of an internal investigation into allegations that he organized parties, while off-duty, that may have involved the promotion of prostitution. Taggart was an 18 year veteran of the State Police, assigned to Troop T-Buffalo.
As part of an on-going internal investigation, the State Police suspended Trooper Frederick Franklin, 41, and Trooper Mark Hufnagel, 41, without pay. Troopers Franklin and Hufnagel were suspended for allegedly engaging in misconduct unrelated to organizing the parties in question.
Troopers Franklin, an 18 year veteran, and Hufnagel, an 11 year veteran, are both assigned to Troop T-Buffalo.
State police at Jamestown
FREWSBURG - On June 27, Shane Anderson, 24, of Frewsburg, was charged with driving while intoxicated after being pulled over for speeding on Route 62 by a trooper.
Anderson reportedly failed several field sobriety tests and was transported to state police barracks in Jamestown. He provided a breath sample that was reported to be .14 percent.
He was processed, issued tickets returnable to the Town of Carroll Court, and released to a sober individual.
On Friday, June 29, Edgar Torres, 40, of Jamestown was charged with aggravated felony driving while intoxicated.
Torres was pulled over on Washington Street for an alleged traffic violation and failed several field sobriety tests. He was transported to state police barracks in Jamestown where he provided a breath sample that was reported at .18 percent. Since Torres had been convicted of a DWI within the preceding 10 years, the charge was upgraded to a felony.
Torres was processed, issued tickets returnable to the City of Jamestown Court and released to a sober individual.
On Friday, June 29 Ronelle Penhollow, 45, of Jamestown was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Penhollow was pulled over on East Second Street for a reported traffic violation. After reportedly failing several field sobriety tests, she was transported to the state police barracks in Jamestown. The breath sample she provided was reported to be .18 percent.
Since her driver's license was already suspended due to an alcohol related conviction, she was additionally charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a felony.
Penhollow was processed, issued tickets returnable to the City of Jamestown and turned over to a sober individual.
