SCAMS - Press Release

Recently we have had several attempted scams reported to the police department.  During this holiday season, scammers may try to prey on the emotions of those willing to believe the best of everyone.  As a result, please keep the following in mind:

Never, under any circumstance, provide personal information to anyone via the phone or internet.  This includes, but is not limited to, date of birth, social security number, bank name and/or account number, routing number information, credit card number – not even your phone number.

Recent Scams Attempted in Our Area

• Emails stating you have won the lottery from another country; commonly from various African countries, Costa Rica, Canada or the U.K.
• Anyone asking you to send money via Western Union to someone you do not personally know.  Legitimate businesses do not solicit people to pay Western Union.
• Phone calls stating that a loved one, usually a grandson/granddaughter, is either stranded or in jail.  Often this scammer pretends to be the actual distant relative.  Always confirm with other family members, get a call back number and ask detailed questions only the relative would know.
• Someone calling claiming they are a custom’s agent and that they have a package from a foreign country that needs to have fees paid in order to be released to you.
• That you are the winner of Publishers Clearing House.  All PCH winners are notified in person, never over the phone.
• CraigsList posting asking you to wire money via Western Union and then they will send the item purchased.
• A check received via regular mail that asks you to deposit to your bank and then send them a portion of the money.  Note:  Most banks will identify that it is not a legitimate check prior to posting.

Please go to http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx, the Internet Crime Complaint Center, to report any type of internet crime.  The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was established as a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).  Internet crime is defined as any illegal activity involving one or more components of the Internet, such as websites, chat rooms, and/or email. Internet crime involves the use of the Internet to communicate false or fraudulent representations to consumers.  These crimes may include, but are not limited to, advance-fee schemes, non-delivery of goods or services, computer hacking, or employment/business opportunity schemes.

11/29/10 - 12/6/10 Calls for Service

11/29/10

• FOUND - black lab cross with white on chest.  Taken to Humane Society.
• Theft occurred at Suburban Propane, case taken.  SEE PRESS RELEASE.
• LOST - key ring with 2 keys.

11/30/10

• Assisted Mt Shasta Elementary with contacting parents who missed the bus drop off.
• Shoplifting occurred from Ace Hardware.  SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Welfare check on children for mother involved in child custody dispute.  Children were fine, advised mother to contact courts if changes were needed.
• Warning for trespassing/no camping allowed in Rays parking lot. 
• Theft occurred at residence, kerosene from large tank.  Case taken.  SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Complaint of harassment regarding several juveniles/young adults.  All parties counseled and advised of restraining order procedures and consequences.

12/1/10

• Shoplifting occurred at Rays Food Place.  SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Report of speeding vehicle northbound on blvd, nearly hitting pedestrian. 
• Restraining order violation reported.  Case taken.
• 6 vehicles were warned for snow tow/parking on the street and obstructing snow removal.

12/2/10

• Hit and run occurred in front of Casa Ramos, Report taken.  SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Theft from vehicle occurred.  SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Hit and run occurred in front of Seven Suns Coffee.  SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Trespasser confronted by homeowner.  Requested extra patrol.
  

12/3/10

• Advised several juveniles about vandalism after they were caught egging a vehicle. 
• Assisted with the return of 2 items that were turned into the PD.
• Burglary occurred at Finlandia Motel.  SEE PRESS RELEASE

12/4/10

• Assisted CHP with DUI stop resulting in arrest.
• Abandoned vehicle towed from City Park.  SEE PRESS RELEASE

12/5/10

• Hit and run occurred in 600 block of Mill St. SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Vandalism to a vehicle reported.  Case taken.  SEE PRESS RELEASE
• Assisted with return of found wallet. 

 

Total Calls by Call Type From: 11/29/2010 To: 12/5/2010
Call Type	Total Calls
11-95 TRAFFIC STOP	6
ALARM (AUDIBLE)	1
ASSAULT (HARASSMENT)	1
BURGLARY (BUSINESS)	1
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL)	1
CHECK BUSINESS	1
CHECK WELFARE (PERSON)	2
CHILD ABUSE	1
CLETS	7
DETAIL (OTHER)	1
DIST. THE PEACE	2
DUI COMPLAINT	3
FIRE	1
FOUND PROPERTY	3
HOUSEWATCH	1
LOST PROPERTY	2
MEDICAL	2
MUNI CODE - OTHER	2
OUTSIDE ASSIST	4
PUBLIC ASSIST	2
PUBLIC WORKS	3
RETURNED PROPERTY	1
SCHOOL (OTHER)	1
SHIFT REPORT	27
SUSVEH (SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE)	1
TC (HIT AND RUN)	3
THEFT (FROM VEH)	1
THEFT (GRAND)	1
THEFT (PETTY)	3
TRAFFIC HAZARD	2
TRESPASSING	1
TRO (RECEIPT OF)	2
TRO VIOLATION	1
VANDALISM	3
	Total Calls:  95

11/29/10 - 12/6/10 Press Release

11/29/10

• On 11-29-2010, MSPD took the report of a theft from Cross Petroleum.  The reporting party said that an unknown person came in to the gas station requesting propane.  An employee assisted in filling the propane tank.  The unknown person then drove off without paying for the propane.  The employee described the person as a white male adult, wearing a tan shirt with a green undershirt and and blue jeans.  The unknown male was driving a light colored Chevy pickup.  Case taken for theft.
  

11/30/10

• On 11-30-10 the Mt. Shasta Police Department arrested Robert Wesley Allen, age 40, of Dunsmuir for theft. Allen was cited and released.
• On 11-30-10 the Mt. Shasta Police Deaprtment took a report of a theft of heating oil from a home on Ida St. Approximately 190 gallons of fuel had been siphoned from the unlocked tank. The case is currently under investigation. Anyone with information contact the Mt. Shasta Police Department.

12/1/10

• On 12-1-2010, MSPD received a report of a shoplifter at Ray’s Food Place. A witness told Officers the shoplifter took off on foot towards the Interstate 5. Officers contacted Jenny Williams, age 20, of Montana, on the I-5 overpass. Williams was detained by Officers. A witness identified Williams as the shoplifter. Williams was arrested for minor in possession of alcohol and petty theft. Williams was cited and released.

12/2/10

• On Thursday, 12/02/2010, MSPD responded to a non-injury traffic colliison in front of Seven Sons Coffee House, 1011 S. Mt Shasta Bl.  Brandon Turk of Mt Shasta reported that a woman in a red pickup had hit his parked truck.  Lois Kusnik of Mt Shasta, was pulling out of a parallel parking space and struck Turk's Chevy pickup that was parked in front of her. A traffic collision report was filed.
• On Thursday, 12/02/2010, Dave Autry reported that sometime between 1120 am and 1135 am someone stole a Bosch Rotohammer out of the back of his pickup bed.  Autry said he was working in Ray's Food Place and had been parked behind the market.  The Rotohammer was in a blue plastic case.  A theft report was filed.
• On 12/2/2010, MSPD received a call regarding a hit and run vehicle accident.  The victim, Ceballas, stated that his vehicle was hit and the suspect did not report the incident nor did they leave a note.  There are no suspects or witnesses in this case. 
• On 12/02, the department responded to a report of an unknown intoxicated subject entering a garage in the 800 Block of Ream Ave.  The subject was confronted by a home owner and fled the area.  He was described as a white male approximately 30 years old, 5’8”, 140 lbs.

12/3/10

• On Friday, 12/03/2010, MSPD was called to the Finlandia Motel to investigate a burglary. Two Sanyo flat screen television sets were removed from a rental unit sometime between Wednesday night, 12/01/2010, and Thursday night, 12/02/2010.  The suspect(s) kicked in the rear door on the Motel office rental unit and stole the two TV sets.  A burglary report was filed.

12/4/10

• On 12/4/2010, MSPD receieved a report that there was a vehicle left abandoned in the grass area of the City park. There is currently an investigation being made into this incident.

12/5/10

• On 12-5-10 the Mt. Shasta Police Department took a report of a hit and run that occurred at 612 Mill St. A parked vehicle was damaged by another vehicle. The suspect/s then fled the scene with out providing the proper information. Anyone with information contact the Mt. Shasta Police Department.
• On 12-5-10 the Mt. Shasta Police Department took a report of a felony vandalism that occurred on N. Washington Dr.  A parked vehicle had 3 windows broken out and other damage as a result of the broken windows. The case is currently under investigation and leads are being followed up on. Anyone with information contact the Mt. Shasta Police Department.