Fraud, Fraud, Forgery and Recovered Red Bull

Credit Card Fraud, Case #1

On Feb. 8 49-year-old New Canaan resident reported his American Express card had been fraudulently used to purchase $1,800 worth of sporting and entertainment tickets. American Express alerted the cardholder when they became suspicious of activity on the card. The card was used to purchase $1,200 worth of tickets to a rap concert and $600 worth of tickets to a New York Knicks game. The cardholder said the card had not been out of his possession. American Express and the New Canaan Police are investigating.

Stolen Prescription Pad and Forged Prescriptions

A 19-year-old Norwalk man who is wanted by Greenwich police for stealing a doctor’s prescription pad, attempted to fill a forged prescription at the CVS Pharmacy and successfully filled one at Walgreens. The CVS pharmacist learned about the stolen pad when a call was made to the Greenwich physician, Dr. Leonard Leven, to verify the prescription for focalin. The pharmacist alerted New Canaan police at 8:30 p.m. about the forgery attempt, but by the time police arrived, the suspect had left the premises. Greenwich police offered a description of Kevin Grant of Highland Ave., the suspect who allegedly stole the prescription pad, and New Canaan police identified him on CVS surveillance video. Police then contacted Walgreens on Cherry St., and learned that a customer fitting the same description had filled a prescription from Dr. Leven earlier in the evening. Focalin is an amphetamine commonly prescribed for ADHD.

Warrant Arrest for Motor Vehicle Accident

On the afternoon of Feb. 10, Matthew Nilla, 18, of Braeburn Drive, New Canaan, was stopped by officers who spotted him as he drove on Main St. near Old Norwalk Road. New Canaan police held a warrant for Nilla’s arrest that was issued following a recent motor vehicle accident. The warrant, for first degree reckless endangerment, evading responsibility and following too closely, was issued after Nilla allegedly rear-ended another vehicle, then left the scene. Nilla did not post $5,000 bond, and had a court date of Feb. 11.  The motor vehicle accident is still under investigation.

Credit Card Fraud, #2

On Feb. 10, New Canaan police were dispatched to Welles Lane, where a 41-year-old resident told them he had been the victim of credit card fraud after three cash advances were charged to his Bank of America card. On Jan. 28 and again on Feb. 1, an advance of $24,897 plus a transfer fee of $995, were charged to his account. On Feb. 7, another $4,800 was charged. Bank of America and New Canaan police are investigating the $56,584 attempted swindle.

Family Dispute

On the evening of Feb. 10, a 58-year-old Nubel Lane resident was arrested following an argument with his brother-in-law. Much earlier the same day -- at 2 a.m.  --  the brother-in-law had been arrested in Danbury after a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend. The New Canaan resident bailed out his brother-in-law and took custody of the man’s 3-year-old daughter. At around 7 p.m. on the night of the 10th,  the two men were discussing the incident and the bond money. According to police, the Danbury man had been drinking and the conversation escalated into an argument. The New Canaan resident struck his brother-in-law, causing “minor physical injury.” The Nubel Lane resident was arrested and charged with third degree assault. He posted $150 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 14. Patch is not releasing the name of the accused because a minor child is involved in the incident.

Missing Package

On Feb. 11 a 48-year-old Cheesespring Road resident called police to report a missing package. The resident said UPS tracking indicated the package, containing two Bose speakers valued at $440, had been delivered, but it was not left at his home. He said he had been at the house all day and did not hear a delivery truck and could not find the package. UPS is investigating.

Recovered Red Bull

At approximately 1:10 p.m. on Feb. 11, a CVS employee noticed two teenaged boys attempting to steal two cans of Red Bull beverage. The employee questioned the boys and the merchandise was recovered. The incident was reported to police.