More Internet victims come forward; shoplifting runner caught on second lap
By Nelson Daily Editor
Two more Nelsonites have come forward to report that they were the victims of Internet fraud, the Nelson Police said Monday.
In the first incident, a woman reported she had placed an ad to sell her personal bike. The seller thought she had sold her bike after receiving a money order from the buyer, but the money order turned out to be fake, said acting NPD Sgt. Paul Burkart.
In the second incident, the owner of a local business reported receiving an email to inquire about their product.
The person offered to buy the product and had the seller complete an invoice. A deposit was made with a credit card number.
The buyer set up shipment asking the seller to send a large portion of the deposit to a transportation company that was to ship the items.
“It appears that the shipping company was a front for the scammers,” said Sgt. Burkart. “Fortunately the business owners discovered the scam and did not forward the funds requested.”
Shoplifting runner caught on the second lap
A repeat shoplifter went back to the well once too many times.
A 37-year-old Castlegar man had targeted a Nelson business for over $600 worth of product as he made several forays into the store on the weekend.
When the business staff confronted the man he ran from the store. Store staff followed the man and kept in contact with police as he headed towards the area of Cottonwood Falls.
When the man headed back to the store police arrested him. A vehicle associated with the man was found in the parking lot of the business.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the location of over $600 worth of product that the offender had already stolen from the store, said Sgt. Burkart.
The man will be in court Monday on charges of theft, possession of stolen property and escape lawful custody.
Nelson Police commended store staff on how they dealt with the offender and his flight from their custody, said Sgt. Burkart.
“After the initial contact where the offender was confronted, staff kept their distance and did not try to apprehend the offender, but instead provided police with valuable information regarding the offender’s location and description.”
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