Police Make 5 DUI Arrests, Investigate Jury Duty Scam In Northampton Twp.

RICHBORO, PA —The Northampton Township Police Department reported five DUI-related arrests, two fraud complaints tied to jury duty scam calls and an attempted vehicle theft during the June 29 to July 12 reporting period.

Police made DUI-related arrests on June 30 on 2nd Street Pike, on July 4 in the area of Old Bristol Road, on July 8 on Buck Hill Drive, on July 10 in the 1600 block of Chinquapin Road and on July 12 following a crash in the area of Almshouse Road and 2nd Street Pike. In each case, the driver was taken into custody on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, police said.

The July 12 incident began when a resident reported that their vehicle was struck by another vehicle and that the striking vehicle fled the area. According to police, registration information for the striking vehicle was obtained and officers were able to locate it. Police then spoke with the driver and, after an investigation, took the driver into custody on suspicion of DUI.

Police also reported two fraud complaints involving callers claiming to be connected to the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office or Sheriff’s Department. On July 5, a resident reported being told they had missed jury duty and owed money for a fine. On July 9, another resident reported receiving a call that there was a federal warrant for their arrest because they had missed jury duty for a federal case. The caller instructed them to pay a fine using Bitcoin. Both cases were assigned to detectives.

Other incidents included an attempted theft of a vehicle reported at about 1:59 a.m. on July 3 after a camera system showed individuals entering the property and attempting to open a vehicle door. Police reported the vehicle was locked and the individuals left the area.

Police also responded to a brush fire in the 1000 block of 2nd Street Pike on July 1 that was extinguished by the Northampton Township Fire Department, a downed tree on Brookside Drive on July 4 that prompted a response from Public Works, and a missing person report in the Holland section on July 6. Police reported the missing person was located after patrol units saturated the area.

An e-bike patrol incident involving a juvenile on New Road on June 29 ended with a parent being contacted to pick up the e-bike, according to police.

During the two weeks, patrol handled 52 alarm calls, 37 abandoned 911 calls, 68 medical emergencies, 18 bookings, 9 domestic disputes, 20 civil disputes, 140 traffic monitoring details, and 37 crime prevention details.