Phony Eric Clapton Scams NJ Woman’s Mother Out of $30,000
- Police in Washington Twp. responded to over 300 calls this past weekend
- A woman was scammed out of $30,000 by someone impersonating Eric Clapton
- Other notable cases involved shoplifting and a well-being check on a 94-year-old man
No, Eric Clapton Isn't Looking for Love in South Jersey
No, rock music legend Eric Clapton is not trying to date you.
Sadly, one person in the region thought that was really the case and she got scammed out of thousands of dollars.
That, unfortunately, was just one of many cases that were investigated by police in Washington Township, Gloucester County, over the past few days.
Weekend Police Activity in Washington Township
As they typically do every Monday, that department publishes a roundup of events that kept their officers busy over the previous weekend.
According to the WTPD, cops there answered over 300 calls for service between Friday night and Monday morning. They also conducted 81 traffic stops and performed half a dozen vacation house checks.
Highlights From the Police Blotter
Some of the more notable cases are as follows:
- A 30-year-old man from Clementon was arrested around 1:00 Monday morning for possession of a credit card scanner/skimmer, blank credit cards, and fraudulent gift cards during a motor vehicle stop, per police. He was processed and released as an investigation continues.
- A husband and wife from Deptford were arrested for shoplifting $79.99 merchandise from ShopRite.
- A man was arrested for distribution of methamphetamine following a search that uncovered 24 grams of meth, a scale, and multiple cell phones.
- A woman from Clayton was arrested for possession of ketamine and LSD.
- Juvenile runaway: Officers responded twice to a group home on Hurffville-Cross Keys Rd. The juvenile was located both times.
- Officers responded to a disturbance near LA Fitness involving a reported firearm. Both groups fled prior to police arrival. An investigation is ongoing.
- Domestic violence / simple assault: A subject reported an altercation during a custody exchange. Restaurant surveillance confirmed that the man in this incident was the primary aggressor, and visible injuries were observed on a woman. Warrant was issued for the subject; his arrest is pending.
- Well-being check: A 94-year-old man was found on the floor of his home after not answering his son's phone calls or the door for officers. Entry was made through a window and the resident was taken to a local hospital.
- Wrongful impersonation / dating scam: A resident reported her mother was defrauded out of approximately $30,000 by an online scammer impersonating Eric Clapton.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons, even Eric Clapton, are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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