Local man is victim of jury duty scam, tricked by fake deputy

The following incidents are crime reports filed by the Charleston Police Department’s Patrol Team 5, which covers Daniel Island, Clements Ferry Road, and parts of Cainhoy, between May 16-31. 

 

JURY DUTY SCAM

 

On May 29, Team 5 was contacted by a resident who reported a case of larceny by false pretenses/swindle. 

 

The complainant said he was contacted by telephone around 1:30 p.m. by an individual who was posing as a Charleston County sheriff’s deputy. 

 

He was told that there was a warrant out for his arrest because he failed to appear for jury selection. Instructions included reporting to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office on Leeds Avenue and going to another location to pay $4,000 in bail. He was told that he needed to register with the U.S. Department of the Treasury first. 

 

With the caller on the phone, he was directed to drive to several different locations and eventually ended up at a cryptocurrency ATM at a gas station on Ashley Phosphate Road. The complainant deposited $100. When he was told to deposit additional funds, the victim realized that the situation seemed off and declined to make further payments. The caller told him he would be arrested and hung up. An investigation is underway. 

 

 

HIT-AND-RUN COLLISION

 

A person was riding her bicycle in the crosswalk on Island Park Drive when she said she was hit by a white, four-door sedan, causing her to fall onto the hood of the vehicle and then hit the ground. The driver then stepped out of the vehicle and began yelling at the woman and a witness, stating that they should be more careful. 

 

The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet and sustained minor injuries. The suspect, described as a 60- to 70-year-old male, left the scene of the accident. 

 

Team 5 advised that there are several Flock safety cameras on and off Daniel Island and the footage will be reviewed. The incident occurred on May 23, around 6:30 p.m., and was reported to police on May 26. 

 

 

THEFT FROM A BUILDING

 

A resident of Longshore Street contacted police on May 18 to report that jewelry had been stolen from her home sometime between April 15-21. 

 

The victim recalled that on April 15, she had placed a gold chain at the top of a jewelry box, and on April 21, she noticed it was gone. When inspecting the jewelry box, she discovered that other pieces were missing too. 

 

The complainant stated that a cleaning team had access to the apartment, and when an employee was confronted, she became aggressive and defensive. Police provided the complainant with a case number. 

 

On the same day, another individual residing in a nearby apartment on Longshore Street stated that items had gone missing sometime between March 7-8 while the family was out of town. 

 

The complainant said the employee from the same cleaning team, mentioned above, had entered the residence to help take care of the family’s dog. The complainant believes surveillance video may be available. Team 5 is investigating. 

 

 

ROAD RAGE

 

On May 25, an officer responded to Fairfield Street near a coffee shop in reference to a road rage incident. A driver and passenger told police another driver tailgated their vehicle and then lowered the window while passing and threw a can or bottle at their vehicle. The object struck their car on the passenger’s side. 

 

Video footage was captured from a car camera. A case number was provided to the victim. 

 

 

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

 

On May 27, an officer was dispatched to Seven Farms Drive in reference to an attempted theft of a motor vehicle. During the overnight hours, the complainant’s car window was shattered, and the front passenger seat was readjusted and leaned all the way back. The steering column had been ripped off and the ignition damaged. Nothing was removed from the vehicle. Property managers advised that there were no surveillance cameras on the property.

 

On the same day, Team 5 reported to an apartment community on Farr Street in reference to a stolen vehicle. Early that morning, the complainant observed that her car was missing and broken glass was on the ground where she had parked it the night before, directly in front of the entry doors to the complex. The apartment building has cameras, and officers advised the staff to hold the footage. 

 

On May 28, a vehicle theft occurred on Charleston Regional Parkway. According to the complainant, a white box truck was parked with the keys left inside. At some point between 6-8 p.m., the vehicle was taken from the site. Security footage is being obtained, and the case is pending. 

 

 

IDENTITY THEFT

 

An unknown suspect used the personal information and social security number of a deceased individual to create a digital wallet account. The individual then used the information to withdraw $43,000 from a checking account that was still open. The daughter of the deceased, who had copies of the bank statements and is the power of attorney, reported the transaction to the police on May 27.