NORTH BERGEN AND BEYOND – The North Bergen Police Department is seeking a 27-year-old alleged “diversion burglar” who they say is responsible for taking $1,200 from a 66-year old Weehawken woman last month.
According to Commander of the Detective Bureau Lt. Frank Cannella, on Nov. 7, the man portrayed himself to the woman as a “good Samaritan” when she pulled off into a mall parking lot on Bergen Turnpike to see why her car was making a loud noise. The woman told police that almost immediately, the man appeared and offered to check under her car. He then jacked her vehicle up and pulled out what appeared to be a round piece of metal attached to it. The woman, believing her car was fixed, paid him $200.
However, afterward, he told the woman that because of a “disintegrated” chip, her driver’s side door was unable to close. He replaced it with a new “chip,” and then asked for $1,000.
“This is a classic scam,” said Cannella.
The man allegedly drove the woman to her bank in his car, received the money, and returned to her car, where he told her that she wouldn’t need a checkup for 10 years.
Cannella said that the woman knew it was a scam, but may have been scared. She took down his license, which came back to a car leasing company.
He said that an address went back to a commercial business on Central Avenue in Jersey City.
Police said that the man is around 5′ 5″ and 5′ 7″, 180 pounds, and appears to be of Italian and Hispanic heritage. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Cannella said that police are asking anyone with more information to his whereabouts to contact the North Bergen Police Detective’s Bureau at (201) 392-2092.
“Be extremely vigilant for similar attempts, especially during the holiday season while shopping,” said Cannella. – Tricia Tirella