Police reports 4/19/24: Alfred police warn of phone scam (2024)

ALFRED — The Alfred Police Department reported Thursday that they have received several fraud/scam complaints over the last few weeks, explaining that someone via phone or email has been soliciting money from locals for various reasons.

The three most common scams currently running are as follows:

• Someone will contact the victim, impersonate a police agency and convince the victim that they need to send bail money for a close relative that has been arrested.
• Someone will contact the victim with some personal information claiming to be a federal agency and claim that their information has been hacked and money is required to fix it.
• Someone will contact the victim and make threats to use personal information against them unless they send them some money.

These scams are reportedly not target specific, as people of all ages are becoming victims. Officials as that residents consult with local law enforcement with any questions or concerns and be aware that this is becoming more prevalent in our area.

The Alfred Police Department reports it is currently working with state and federal authorities to try and stop this trend.

Olean Police

• Tuesday, 4:55 p.m., two injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident on West State Street. A vehicle operated by Amy Lynn Roblee, 48, of Canadea, reportedly struck the rear of a vehicle operated by Dawn Marie Nelson, 60, of North Fourth Street, which was stopped in traffic. Roblee was subsequently cited for following too closely, an infraction.
• Tuesday, 5:08 p.m., no injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident on North Union Street near Wayne Street. A vehicle operated by Nahvonna N. Roat, 27, of Hinsdale, reportedly struck the rear of a vehicle operated by James E. Keltz Jr., 37, of 309 W. Oak St., which was stopped in traffic. Roat was subsequently cited for following too closely, an infraction.

Salamanca Police

• Wednesday, 10:55 a.m., Lawrence Alexander, 38, of Brocton, was arrested on a bench warrant issued out of Salamanca City Court. Alexander was held pending arraignment.
• Wednesday, 1:24 p.m., Gordon Sullivan, 45, of Salamanca, was charged with second-degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, and second-degree harassment, a violation. Sullivan was held pending arraignment.

Wellsville Police

• Wednesday, no time provided, Brian N. Whitcher, 50, of Wellsville, was arrested on an indictment warrant issued out of Allegany County Court relating to charges of three counts each of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, class D felonies. The charges stem from the investigation into the alleged sale of methamphetamine in March and December of 2023. Whitcher was committed to Allegany County Jail and held without bail.

New York State Police

• NAPOLI — Kenneth J. Grainer, 29, of Randolph, was charged at 9:11 a.m. Wednesday with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor. The charge stems from an incident reported Jan. 16. Grainer was released with an appearance ticket.
• ALLEGANY — Jessica R. Booth, 25, of Steamburg, was charged at 5:13 p.m. Wednesday with tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony; third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor; seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor; and false personation, a class B misdemeanor. Booth was reported held.
• DELEVAN — Dominic A. Pulvino, 21, of Delevan, was charged at 3:35 p.m. Wednesday with petit larceny and second-degree criminal contempt, class A misdemeanors. Pulvino was released with an appearance ticket.
• ALLEGANY — Nathan N. Culver, 24, of Steamburg, was charged at 5:42 p.m. Wednesday with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor. Culver was released with an appearance ticket.
• ALLEGANY — Ashley M. Waite, 35, of Randolph, was charged at 5:52 p.m. Wednesday with three counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance a class A misdemeanor, and false personation, a class B misdemeanor. Waite was released with an appearance ticket.

Local & Social