Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Business Crime Alert - January 12, 2005
Recent Incidents
We have been experiencing an increase in auto thefts lately.
· There was a 1990 blue Pontiac Grand Am stolen from the parking lot of 920 John R (John R / Maple) between 1-9-05 and 1-10-05.
· A 2002 Red Chevy C series work van was stolen from the parking lot of 33475 Dequindre (Dequindre/14 Mile) on 1-8-05. The van was recovered in the southwest Detroit area, in the area of Springwells and Wagner. The driver’s side window was busted out and the ignition was punched.
· A 2002 Black Chevy Trailblazer was stolen from the Troy Sports Arena at 1819 E Big Beaver on 1-8-05. The perpetrator entered an un-locked locker-room and took cash, a jacket and the keys to the vehicle.
· Officers recovered a stolen 2003 Buick Rendezvous in the Arena parking lot on 1-08-05. The vehicle was stolen from Bally’s fitness center on Vandyke in Warren. The vehicle appears to be the drop vehicle for the vehicle stolen from the Troy Sports Arena the same day.
Counterfeit Money:
· A local shoe store reported receiving 4 counterfeit $20 bills for a recent purchase. The suspect was described as an Arabic male, age 18, 5’10”, 170 lbs, dark curly hair, dark eyes, and wearing an orange basketball jersey.
· A counterfeit $20 bill was passed at the Troy Community Center on Saturday, 1/8/05
Mail Fraud Scam:
· A fraud occurred on 1-09-05. The victim was called on the phone and told they won a lottery in Spain. The perpetrator convinced the victim to send a copy of driver’s licenses, passport, bank account numbers, and spouse information. The victim was also persuaded to transfer $1850.00 overseas.
If you have any information on any of the cases cited please contact the Troy Police Department.
Crime Prevention Tips
Things that can be done to combat auto theft and larcenies from autos include:
· Installing a car alarm.
· Using steering-wheel locking applications like the club etc.
· Applications of a hidden kill switch to the ignition system.
· Park in a well lit well traveled area if possible.
· Always maintain security of vehicle keys.
· Do not leave items of value in your car especially in plain view.
NOTE: There is a trend among criminals to target locker rooms at fitness centers in the metro area for the ease in which they can obtain money and car keys.
Detecting Counterfeit Money
All U.S. notes have security features on them to make them recognizable as authentic currency. In the past few years, The U. S. has been designing even more easy to identify, and more difficult to counterfeit. Some of these identifier features are:
· A watermark identical to the portrait of the president’s face is visible from both sides against a light.
· Color shifting ink on the number in the lower right corner on the front of the note.
· Micro printing on the oval ornamentation portrait framing around the president’s face on the front of the note; “The United States of America” is printed on it’s lower edge.
· Fine line printing patterns behind the portrait and building picture on the note are difficult to replicate.
These and other features will become easy to recognize with a little practice in handling money.
The most economical tool to assist in this effort is purchasing a small black light for use by all clerks, and left or installed for their use at the cash register.
For further information, contact the Community Services Section of the Police Department, and/or your local United States Secret Services Office.
While making a police report, it is important to give the Officers and Detectives all information known about the case. Withholding any information is not helpful to any case and could result in charges of obstructing justice.
Fraud Prevention:
· Remember nothing that is worth anything is free.
· Never give any personal information out to an unknown source over the phone or Internet.
(If someone asks for personal information, ask to speak to his or her supervisor and inform them you will be calling the Police to make a fraud report.)
No reputable business will call you or email you for this information!!!
· If you receive a phone call or email telling you that you have won something that you did not apply for, it is more than likely a fraud.
· No legitimate organization will not ask for any money or a Credit Card number in order to claim a prize
· Protect yourself against identity theft by shredding all documents and safe guarding your account numbers, social security numbers and credit card numbers.
For business security advice, or to have a free security survey by a Troy Police Crime Prevention Officer, call 248-524-3464
We have been experiencing an increase in auto thefts lately.
· There was a 1990 blue Pontiac Grand Am stolen from the parking lot of 920 John R (John R / Maple) between 1-9-05 and 1-10-05.
· A 2002 Red Chevy C series work van was stolen from the parking lot of 33475 Dequindre (Dequindre/14 Mile) on 1-8-05. The van was recovered in the southwest Detroit area, in the area of Springwells and Wagner. The driver’s side window was busted out and the ignition was punched.
· A 2002 Black Chevy Trailblazer was stolen from the Troy Sports Arena at 1819 E Big Beaver on 1-8-05. The perpetrator entered an un-locked locker-room and took cash, a jacket and the keys to the vehicle.
· Officers recovered a stolen 2003 Buick Rendezvous in the Arena parking lot on 1-08-05. The vehicle was stolen from Bally’s fitness center on Vandyke in Warren. The vehicle appears to be the drop vehicle for the vehicle stolen from the Troy Sports Arena the same day.
Counterfeit Money:
· A local shoe store reported receiving 4 counterfeit $20 bills for a recent purchase. The suspect was described as an Arabic male, age 18, 5’10”, 170 lbs, dark curly hair, dark eyes, and wearing an orange basketball jersey.
· A counterfeit $20 bill was passed at the Troy Community Center on Saturday, 1/8/05
Mail Fraud Scam:
· A fraud occurred on 1-09-05. The victim was called on the phone and told they won a lottery in Spain. The perpetrator convinced the victim to send a copy of driver’s licenses, passport, bank account numbers, and spouse information. The victim was also persuaded to transfer $1850.00 overseas.
If you have any information on any of the cases cited please contact the Troy Police Department.
Crime Prevention Tips
Things that can be done to combat auto theft and larcenies from autos include:
· Installing a car alarm.
· Using steering-wheel locking applications like the club etc.
· Applications of a hidden kill switch to the ignition system.
· Park in a well lit well traveled area if possible.
· Always maintain security of vehicle keys.
· Do not leave items of value in your car especially in plain view.
NOTE: There is a trend among criminals to target locker rooms at fitness centers in the metro area for the ease in which they can obtain money and car keys.
Detecting Counterfeit Money
All U.S. notes have security features on them to make them recognizable as authentic currency. In the past few years, The U. S. has been designing even more easy to identify, and more difficult to counterfeit. Some of these identifier features are:
· A watermark identical to the portrait of the president’s face is visible from both sides against a light.
· Color shifting ink on the number in the lower right corner on the front of the note.
· Micro printing on the oval ornamentation portrait framing around the president’s face on the front of the note; “The United States of America” is printed on it’s lower edge.
· Fine line printing patterns behind the portrait and building picture on the note are difficult to replicate.
These and other features will become easy to recognize with a little practice in handling money.
The most economical tool to assist in this effort is purchasing a small black light for use by all clerks, and left or installed for their use at the cash register.
For further information, contact the Community Services Section of the Police Department, and/or your local United States Secret Services Office.
While making a police report, it is important to give the Officers and Detectives all information known about the case. Withholding any information is not helpful to any case and could result in charges of obstructing justice.
Fraud Prevention:
· Remember nothing that is worth anything is free.
· Never give any personal information out to an unknown source over the phone or Internet.
(If someone asks for personal information, ask to speak to his or her supervisor and inform them you will be calling the Police to make a fraud report.)
No reputable business will call you or email you for this information!!!
· If you receive a phone call or email telling you that you have won something that you did not apply for, it is more than likely a fraud.
· No legitimate organization will not ask for any money or a Credit Card number in order to claim a prize
· Protect yourself against identity theft by shredding all documents and safe guarding your account numbers, social security numbers and credit card numbers.
For business security advice, or to have a free security survey by a Troy Police Crime Prevention Officer, call 248-524-3464
