Scam alert
Bensalem Police recently received several reports of unknown persons calling residents and posing as Bensalem Township Police Officers. During the phone call, they sometimes identify themselves using an actual officer’s name. They often state that someone in the home has missed a Grand Jury date or hearing and owes money to avoid criminal or civil penalties.
These types of phone calls are scams. No officer, no matter the rank, will ever ask you for money. Police are urging residents to be careful with any phone calls where the caller asks for payment through gift cards.
Police offered some warning signs to be aware of:
- Online vendors, businesses or governmental bodies asking for payment via gift card
- High-pressure calls alleging legal issues or overdue tax payments
- Requests for payment with an unrelated gift card for any service or item
- Anyone who asks for a gift card number or PIN over the phone or online
- Promises of check reimbursement
- Messages that appear to be from a work superior requesting gift card purchases
If you have any questions about the validity of a police officer’s phone call, report the incident to Bensalem Police at 215-633-3719.
Stolen vehicle
On March 26, at 4:48 p.m., Lower Southampton Police stopped a reported stolen vehicle along the 1200 block of Bustleton Pike in Feasterville. The reported stolen white 2023 Audi A4 was occupied by a female driver who was identified as Jessica A. Ciliberto, 44, of Ambler, and a male passenger who was not charged and released.
Investigation confirmed the vehicle is still confirmed as stolen. Ciliberto was arrested for receiving stolen property. Following arrest, she was found to be in possession of narcotics and paraphernalia. Ciliberto was fingerprinted, photographed and arraigned on Receiving Stolen Property and Possession of drugs charges. Bail was set and she was released pending a court date.
T.J. Maxx retail theft
On Sept. 20, Oct. 11 and Nov. 13, 2023, Lower Southampton Police responded to and investigated reports of retail thefts at the T.J. Maxx in Feasterville. During these investigations, the involved individuals were identified as Darryl Foreman, who is currently incarcerated in the Philadelphia Correctional Facility, and his conspirator, Hamid Barrett, 27, of Philadelphia.
Detectives issued an arrest warrant for Barrett for three counts of Retail Theft, one count of Receiving Stolen Property and three counts of Criminal Conspiracy. On March 26, he was arrested in Philadelphia, where he was incarcerated until released to Bucks County authorities. Barrett was arraigned on these charges and bail was set. He was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility and is awaiting his day in court.
