Eight months have passed since Southwest Florida was devastated by Hurricane Ian. Between the volume of media coverage and the ruins that remain, I am confident that virtually no one wishes to discuss nor consider the upcoming hurricane season. While wounds continue to heal, Lee County must accept the June 1st arrival of the Atlantic…
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Thefts at gas stations, across the United States, remain a concern for law enforcement. Like many other crimes of opportunity, an unlocked vehicle with personal items in sight makes for a quick and easy target. Whether you are simply distracted while pumping gas or inside paying, thieves wait for the opportunity to quickly open your…
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Our office has received reports regarding a recent crime trend, occurring around the county, that involves disconcerting similarities. My detectives have determined that property owners, using certain online rental websites which allow potential renters to have unescorted access inside of the property, have become the victims of an assortment of crimes. Through use of these…
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According to information received from the Federal Trade Commission, “impersonation scams” topped their 2022 list for most frequently reported fraudulent activity. With tax time upon us, we are anticipating reports of the annual tax scams that surface this time of year. Despite repeated warnings regarding prevailing and ongoing scams, there is a segment of our…
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Drive down any South Florida street and you will likely find a number of open garage doors. Reports of garage door openers being stolen from unlocked vehicles in the driveway have become more common, as well. In addition to allowing access to any and all property left inside of the garage, these practices now turn…
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It appears that the regrettable success of the “Grandparent Scam” has prompted scammers to continue their criminal assault on senior citizens. An 82-year-old New Jersey woman received a call from a person that she believed to be her grandson. The caller stated “I was in a car accident. I broke my nose and split my…
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Americans lost over $8.8 billion to fraud and scams in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That enormous loss increased by 44% from the previous year! Sheriff Carmine Marceno asks that you take the time to learn more about existing scams, understand the commonalities and warning signs and seek assistance whenever unsure. Consider subscribing…
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