Police warn of phone scam
Gilroy Police are warning residents about a phone scam in the city from an individual who claims to be an officer with the department.
On Jan. 19, the Gilroy Police Department received a report from a resident who had been contacted by an individual falsely claiming to be a Gilroy Police officer. Upon returning the call, the resident was informed by this person they had missed a court date, and when the citizen attempted to clarify the issue, the subject disconnected the call.
According to police, although no solicitation for money occurred, there have been incidents nationwide where individuals fraudulently impersonate police officers over the phone with the aim of extorting money from unsuspecting victims. The money demanded can be in the form of prepaid gift cards or money wire transfers through private money transfer companies.
Gilroy Police are reminding everyone to be aware of these types of scams and to be suspicious of any telephone calls where the caller imposes a problem or crisis and the only solution is to immediately send money. The fictitious problem or crisis can be a missed court date, or other similar issues such as identity theft, an arrest warrant, an immigration issue, delinquent taxes, a relative in jail or a kidnapped relative.
Genuine governmental agencies never accept payments by prepaid gift cards or through private money transfer companies, police advised.
If an individual calls you identifying themselves as a law enforcement officer or a representative of a law enforcement agency and you believe the phone call is suspicious in nature, you are encouraged to contact the law enforcement agency in question to verify the caller’s identity.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jason Greathead at 408.846.0373 or email at [email protected], or the Gilroy Police Department at 408.846.0350.
Jan. 15
• A suspect was arrested for driving under the influence on First Street and Westwood Drive at 1:49am.
• A vehicle was reported stolen on the 8700 block of Evergreen Court.
• Burglary was reported on the 6800 block of Cameron Boulevard and 8800 block of Murray Avenue.
• A vehicle was reportedly vandalized on the 800 block of Alder Street.
Jan. 16
• Robbery was reported on the 600 block of E. Eighth Street at 2:18am.
• A vehicle was reported stolen on the 8300 block of Delta Drive.
• Battery was reported on the 8900 block of Monterey Road at 2:20pm.
• A vehicle was reportedly vandalized on the 7500 block of Dowdy Street.
• An assault was reported on the 7600 block of Eigleberry Street at 4:55pm.
Jan. 17
• A vehicle was reportedly vandalized on the 800 block of Mantelli Drive.
• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on West Sixth and Princevalle streets at 4:54am.
• An assault on a cohabitant was reported on the 300 block of E. Sixth Street at 1:26pm.
• Theft was reported on the 1300 block of W. Luchessa Avenue.
• A vehicle was reported stolen on the 8300 block of Swanston Lane.
Jan. 18
• Robbery was reported on the 700 block of First Street at 2:30pm.
• A vehicle was reported stolen on the first block of Bolsa Road.
• Theft was reported on Monterey and Fifth streets.
Jan. 19
• A suspect was arrested for robbery on the 7200 block of Monterey Street at 5:47pm.
• A suspect was arrested for assault on the 7800 block of Westwood Drive at 8:44pm.
Jan. 20
• A home was reportedly vandalized on the 1100 block of Third Street.
• Police responded to an attempted murder on the 9000 block of Kern Avenue at 9pm.
Jan. 21
• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on the 8100 block of Murray Avenue.
• A suspect was arrested for brandishing on the first block of First Street at 5:48pm.
Information is compiled from public records released by the Gilroy Police Department.
