A local woman is out a considerable sum of money after meeting Mr. Wrong on the Internet dating site Plenty of Fish.
The Amherst woman was defrauded approximately $10,000 after conversing with the fraudster for a little over a month, Amherst Police report. The man sent the victim a cheque and asked her to cash it. Then he asked her to send the monies back to him and another associate via Moneygram.
Officers are now investigating the incident.
Police would like to remind residents to be very wary in cashing cheques from these types of incidents. The scammers often pretend to be away overseas and in areas where communication can only be done over the internet. The offenders are often not who they portray themselves to be in social media profiles.
This was just one of 91 complaints Amherst Police responded to during the week beginning Jan. 8, and ending Sun, Jan. 14, 2018.
Monday
A 41-year-old male has been charged with breaking and entering after a Maple Avenue business was broken into. The front entry to the business was smashed and a quantity of cash stolen. The male was arrested on other charges a day after the incident. The male was remanded into custody. He will next appear at Amherst Provincial Court on Jan. 24th for plea.
Officers responded to a fight at a West Victoria Street residence. It was also reported that one of the involved males had a knife. Officers made contact with two males, age 24 and 35 years, who denied any wrongdoing. Both stated they were smashing their own property in frustration after someone had broken into a home. The males did not wish for police involvement. The males were released without any charges.
Tuesday
Police received a call of a suspicious male at a South Albion Street restaurant. The male attended the restaurant several times during the day. The male had spoken to a female employee whom he did not know and stated that he would pick the female up after her shift. The male arrived at the end of her shift and the business called police. The male left prior to police arrival but was identified by police. The male was warned to stay away from the female and no charges have been laid at this time.
Officers responded to a report of an assault at an Albion Street residence. Caller reported that she was pushed to the ground by her mother. Police determined that no assault had occurred and the female youth was removed from the residence.
Wednesday
A chainsaw was stolen from a South Albion Street store. The male suspect was described as in his early thirties, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and medium build. The male was unshaven, wearing a black toque, sunglasses and a black jacket. The stolen item was a Remington 42 cc chainsaw. If anyone has any information on this theft, please contact Const. Hirtle at 902-667-7227.
Police received a complaint that a female had stolen several Playstation 3 video games. Officers are looking into the incident.
Thursday
A 36-year-old male was charged with trespassing after he attended to a Russell Street residence. The male had been previously issued a Protection of Property Act notice barring him from the location.
Friday
A break and enter was reported at a business in the industrial park. It does not appear that anything was taken in the incident, however, the door was breached and a couple of trailers were gone through. Police are looking into the matter.
The police department was called about a suspected impaired driver who was sitting in her vehicle at a downtown area bar. An officer spoke to the female and discovered that there was no intent by the female to drive the vehicle. The female was not arrested and was driven home to her residence.
Saturday
Police received a call regarding two males at a downtown business who were alarming staff at the store. The males were swearing and making comments that they were going to cut someone with a knife. Officers attended and spoke to the males. The males denied the allegation, however, a knife was located on one of the males. The males were removed from the business. No charges have been laid at this time.
Officers received a complaint that individuals were shining a laser pointer into the eyes of people at the Town Square Mall parking lot. The suspects were in vehicles parked at the parking lot and had shone a laser light at different people and businesses. Officers made patrols but the vehicles had left the area prior to police arrival. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 902-667-7227.
Sunday
Police received a call reporting shots fired. The caller then disconnected the call. Police were quick to determine that the incident was not true. Officers are investigating the incident as a public mischief complaint. Anyone with information on the identity of the person who made this call is asked to contact police.
A 19-year-old male has been charged with assault after an incident at an Albion Street area residence. The male is reported to have dragged the female by her feet and then pushed her out of the residence. The male was arrested at the scene. He was released on a Promise to appear and will appear at Amherst Provincial Court on January 17th for plea.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
