Teen In Custody Following Scam Involving Fake Traffic Tickets In Chester County
WESTTOWN Twp., Pa. (CBS) -- Police in Chester County say a teenage boy has been taken into custody in connection with a scam involving fake traffic tickets that were sent to residents in Westtown Township.
Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police say the fake infractions were left in the mailboxes at four homes Monday afternoon. Each said the homeowners' vehicle was caught on camera speeding on East Pleasant Grove Road in nearby West Chester, and asked for $96 cash to be left in the mailbox.
"I don't know if I would have immediately done what it says to do, but it does look real. I would start to get nervous," said resident Jackie McGlone.
Targeted residents were asked to reply to an email address so the money could then be picked up.
"No adult with the shred of common sense would pay a fine in cash, they would know it is a scam," said resident Dan Malament.
Investigators have determined that the photographs of the vehicles' licenses plates that were attached to each of the fake infractions were actually taken while the vehicle was parked in their owners' driveway and not occupied.
On Tuesday morning, police tracked down the culprit - a 16-year-old boy who lives in the area. Investigators said his father found some soon to be delivered notices near the family's computer and notified authorities. Police say charges are pending.
Westtown-East Goshen Police say speeding tickets aren't issued through the mail, and further, the township doesn't collect cash for traffic violations.
Anyone who has received one of the fake tickets is asked to call Westtown-East Goshen Police at 610-692-5100.
