SIERRA MADRE >> A Sierra Madre who disappeared Thursday morning after she withdrew thousands of dollars from her bank account to give to scammers posing as IRS agents was found safe Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The woman 70, received a phone call about 9 a.m. claiming to be from an IRS representative who told her she owed money to the agency, Sierra Madre Police Chief Larry Giannone said. But police believe the caller was a con-artist.
The woman’s husband reported that she went to her bank and withdrew $5,000 at the request of the caller, Giannone said. She was to be given further instruction on how to send or deliver the money to the scammers. It was unclear what those arrangements may have been.
She then vanished, police said.
Police announced shortly after 6 p.m. that the woman had been found safe, but released no further details regarding what had taken place.
The woman was victimized by a common scam that re-emerges each tax season and has been seen throughout the nation, but Sierra Madre was hit especially hard Thursday as the con artists targeted the foothill community.
More than 50 Sierra Madre residents who reported receiving similar calls on Thursday, the chief said.
Residents lost about $6,000 in total to the scammers, police said.
The phone call received by Bargen came from the same phone number that called other Sierra Madre residents Thursday in the IRS scam.
Giannone declined to discuss the phone number in more detail, citing the ongoing investigation.
Neighboring police agencies reported receiving sporadic reports of the IRS scam in their cities, but not the type of surge in scam attempts seen Thursday in Sierra Madre.
Tag Archives: missing
Family, friends continue search for Megan Di Piazza, 33, missing woman from Montrose
The Glendale Police Department has now issued a bulletin seeking clues in its search for Megan DiPiazza, 33, missing since last Sunday. Here’s what the flier says:
The Glendale Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Megan Sue Dipiazza. She was last seen on the evening of November 11, 2012. A note was discovered “saying goodbye to her family.” Megan has a history of depression.
There is no indication of foul play. No suspicious activity has been identified. The Police Department would like to speak with Megan Dipiazza. The family is concerned for her welfare and has been working closely with the Police Department.
Last week a police spokesman said he believed DiPiazza was in the company of “people”. On Monday a second spokesman recanted that statement. Meanwhile, DiPiazza’s friends continue to search for her or her car, a “2013 Gray Toyota Scion.” The car has license plates of 6XJR885, but those plates may not be attached, according to Glendale PD.
Desperate search for Megan DiPiazza of Montrose continues
Here’s what we have so far on the disappearance of Megan DiPiazza:
MONTROSE – Investigators on Wednesday asked for those who know the whereabouts of Megan Sue DiPiazza, the Montrose mother who went missing Sunday night, to come forward with information about the 33-year-old woman.
DiPiazza disappeared from her house Sunday night. She left behind a note “saying goodbye to her family,” Glendale police Sgt. Thomas Lorenz said Wednesday.
The department said foul play is not suspected in the disappearance.
“She is voluntarily missing,” Lorenz said. “There is nothing suspicious here. She left a note that said she was leaving.”
Glendale police officials didn’t know why the Montrose mother left her family but said DiPiazza suffers from depression.
Channel 2/9 has this:
#findpeter search for West Covina teen goes viral
As his parents continue to search for missing West Covina High School student Peter “Gus” Abrechtson, posting fliers around town, other family members and friends have taken to social media in an effort to find the boy.
The teen is known to frequent the Cameron Youth Center at Cameron and Lark Ellen avenues.
Albrechtsen is Latino, stands 5 foot 8 inches tall weighs 130 pounds, has brown eyes, black hair and a thin build. He also has a 1-inch scar on his nose. He may be carrying a black backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Covina Police at 626-939-8500.
Family seeks missing Pasadena man
PASADENA — The brother of a missing man Tuesday turned to the public for help.
Eric Fowler of Burbank said his brother Marc Fowler, 56, has been missing since midnight Sunday from a board-and care facility on Garfield Avenue in Pasadena.
“He is not dangerous, but he needs his medication,” Eric Fowler said. “He could be anywhere and I dont think he knows enough to find a shleter.”
The missing man, a Vietnam era veteran, has a prostetic leg and walks with a pronounced limp, according to his brother. He is not likely carrying identification.
Pasadena police are conducting the search.
A detective sergeant did not return a call seeking additional information on the case.
Read more:http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_16692004#ixzz168d6PR54
Pasadena missing child (Dylan Kurihara) timeline
Map of locations in Dylan Kurihara missing boy case
View Dylan Kunihara in a larger
TLC takes a look at the Jaycee Lee Dugard story
A spate of missing or dead women
Perhaps this sort of news comes in threes:
Vehicle of missing El Monte woman found on PCH
Fox 11 is reporting that a 1998 four-door Honda Accord belonging to a missing El Monte woman has been found on PCH near Malibu.