Theft By Deception, Forgery, DWI: Princeton Police Blotter

The following is a summary of incidents as reported by Princeton Police:

PRINCETON, NJ - On March 4, an Officer attempted to stop a gray BMW sedan after observing several motor vehicle violations on Nassau Street. The vehicle failed to stop and drove recklessly through the Central Business District, repeatedly passing vehicles by crossing double yellow lines, failing to stop at stop signs, and operating without its headlights illuminated. Two potential suspects associated with the vehicle have been identified; however, the identity of the driver at the time of the incident has not been confirmed. The investigation remains ongoing.

On March 4, following a motor vehicle stop for driving an unregistered vehicle, the driver, a Pennsauken, NJ resident was found to have an active warrant for her arrest issued by Merchantville Borough Municipal Court for $1,500 with a 10 percent posting option. The 35-yera-old was placed under arrest and taken to police headquarters for processing. She was able to post the required bail and was released with a new court date. She was issued a motor vehicle summons for operating an unregistered vehicle.

On March 6, Princeton Police received a report of a fraud that occurred on Feb. 25. The victim reported receiving phone calls from unknown individuals claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House and stating that she had won a large cash prize and two vehicles. The suspects instructed the victim to send money for registration and tax fees related to the prizes. The victim mailed checks totaling $3,860 and also incurred an unauthorized bank charge of $130.88. The suspects also attempted to obtain additional funds from the victim, but no further payments were made. There are no identified suspects at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

On March 6, Princeton Police received a report of a rental scam. The victim reported that an individual claiming to be renting a residence on Leigh Avenue requested a $199 fee to show the property. The victim sent the payment via Cash App at a local Walgreens. After receiving the payment, the suspect requested an additional $899 to show the property, at which point the victim became suspicious and reported the incident to police. The victim suffered a monetary loss of $199. The investigation is ongoing.

On March 6, Princeton Police responded to Princeton Public Schools on Valley Road for a report of a forged check. An unknown individual altered a check that had been mailed by the school district and attempted to fraudulently deposit it. The attempted fraud was detected through the district’s fraud prevention service, and the transaction was declined. No monetary loss was reported. The investigation is ongoing.

On March 7, Princeton Police responded to the area of Nassau Street and Washington Road for a report of a male sleeping in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that was stopped in the road. Officers located the vehicle and made contact with the driver who showed signs of intoxication. Following an investigation and field sobriety testing, the Ewing man was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was taken to police headquarters, where he was processed. The 31-year-old was issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Open Container in a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Delaying Traffic, Obstructing Passage of Other Vehicles, and Failure to Notify Change of Address. He was later released to a responsible party.

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