IRS PHONE SCAM

The New Garden Township Police Department is investigating a theft from an elderly resident who lives in the Somerset Lake community.

The victim contacted the police after becoming suspicious of a phone call that was supposedly from the IRS.

The victim told police that on Dec. 14 at about 9 a.m., he answered a phone call from a person identifying themselves as an agent of the IRS and that the victim was going to be arrested by the IRS for tax evasion. The suspect then advised the victim that he could avoid prosecution if he immediately paid money that was due.

The suspect instructed the victim to remain on the phone while giving instructions to go to two financial institutions to withdraw money from his bank account. The suspect then instructed the victim to go to five different locations to send the money to a designated location through MoneyGram. After the final transaction, the victim’s losses amounted to more than $10,000.

Within an hour after the phone call concluded, which took place over an eight-hour period, the victim became suspicious and contacted the police. The victim added that the suspect called both his home number and cell phone number. The victim also said the suspect had a thick foreign accent.

Police advised anyone who receives suspicious calls to immediately hang up. The IRS will not call anyone and demand payment on the spot. Visit the police website at www.ngpd.org for crime alerts and tips.

SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN

Oxford Police charged Carrington James “CJ” Walls, 29, of Oxford, with sexual abuse of children on Dec. 17 after a year-long investigation. He was charged with solicitation of sexual rape, communication with a minor for sexual abuse, solicitation of sexual abuse of children to obtain child pornography, sexual abuse of children and corruption of minors. He was already in Chester County Prison on drug charges. He was arraigned before District Judge Scott Massey, with bail set at $100,000. Borough police were assisted in the investigation by the Chester County Detectives and the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS

On Nov. 14 at 10:25 p.m., Kennett Square Police cited Marcus Alvarado-Loma, 26, of Kennett Square, for public drunkenness after he was found asleep in the back seat of a running vehicle with the door open and his legs hanging out. He was released at his residence.

DRUG CHARGES

On Nov. 1, Wayne F. Warwick was charged by Oxford Police with possession of a controlled substance, possession or distribution of small amount of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Nov. 23, Scott A. Cole was arrested by Oxford Police for possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and retail theft.

CARS VANDALIZED

Overnight on Nov. 15, windows were broken out of two vehicles parked in the 100 block of Elm Alley, according to Kennett Square Police.

GUNS STOLEN IN BURGLARY

A home at 344 Camp Bonsul Road in Elk Township was burglarized on the morning of Nov. 2, and several long guns were stolen, along with loose change, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale.

ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT

On Nov. 2, Drew A. Henderson was charged by Oxford Police with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

On Nov. 7, Archie A. Barlow was arrested by Oxford Police and charged with harassment and terroristic threats.

On Dec. 12, Oxford Police arrested Sergio Bedolla-Vega for simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

On Nov. 13, a 13-year-old boy was charged by Oxford Police with terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and harassment.

On Dec. 9, New Garden Township Police got a report of ongoing harassment at a home in the 100 block of Hillside Lane. The victim said that Tera Brady, 39, of Coatesville, had continued to send text messages to him, despite being told by police twice to stop. Brady was cited for harassment by communication.

On Dec. 1, Herbert C. McClain was arrested by Oxford Police and charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

RETAIL THEFT

On Nov. 14, Oxford Police charged Inisa Thomas, Tiyana Fortune, Aisha Frazier and Porshia Lake with retail theft.

On Dec. 7, Oxford Police charged Kathy A. Lewis with retail theft and receiving stolen property.

DUI

On Nov. 19 at 5:08 p.m., Kennett Square Police arrested Linda Clark, 66, of Kennett Square, for DUI after a multi-vehicle accident at North Union and Fairthorne streets. Clark was released to medical personnel due to her level of intoxication pending a summons from District Court.

On Nov. 19 at 8:46 p.m., Kennett Square Police arrested Stephen Phillips, 24, of Newark, Del., for DUI after a traffic stop at South Union Street and School House Lane. He was released to a friend pending a summons from District Court.

Pennsylvania State Police Avondale arrested David Steven Lawler of Oxford for DUI after a traffic stop on Nov. 26 at 12:27 a.m. on Route 1 at Bayard Road.

On Dec. 11 at 8:06 p.m., New Garden Township Police responded to a report of an erratic driver and found a car resting against an embankment on Penn Green Road, north of Laurel Bridge Road. The driver, Margaret Lavoie-Davis, 46, of Landenberg, was awakened by police and refused to perform sobriety tests. She was taken into custody for DUI and released pending a court appearance.

On Nov. 25 at 12:18 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police Avondale arrested Ethan Allen of Collegeville for driving under the influence of a controlled substance after police stopped him for a traffic violation.

Pennsylvania State Police Avondale arrested Marshall Lane, 22, of Chadds Ford, for DUI after a traffic stop on Route 52 on Nov. 26 at 12:27 a.m.

William Marcellus Stevenson, 45, of West Grove, was pulled over by Pennsylvania State Police Avondale on Nov. 26 for having counterfeit emissions and inspection stickers on his vehicle, and was found to be driving under the influence of a controlled substance. He was also charged with possession of marijuana.

On Dec. 2, Oxford Police arrested Connie L. Gallagher for DUI and careless driving.

On Nov. 25 at 9:17 p.m., New Garden Township Police saw a car swerving at a very low speed in the 800 block of West Cypress Street. The driver, Evaristo Rodriguez, 46, of New Castle, Del., was arrested for DUI and released pending a court appearance.

On Nov. 26 at 4:30 p.m., New Garden Township Police responded to an accident with serious injuries at Limestone Road and Gap Newport Pike. A driver, Archie Barlow Jr., 56, of West Grove, was found to be DUI and arrested. He was arraigned and taken to Chester County Prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.

On Nov. 27 at 5:40 p.m., New Garden Township Police responded to a complaint about an erratic driver. Police found that Javier Lopez, 32, of Kennett Square, had sideswiped another vehicle in the 300 block of Scarlett Road and then fled into a parking lot on Scarlett Road. He was arrested for DUI and released to a family member pending a court appearance.