MONROE, Conn. — Union Saving Bank employees became suspicious of a customer’s request to wire money, before teaming up with police to prevent a 50-year-old Stratford man from falling victim to a scam Thursday.
The customer entered the bank branch at 411 Monroe Turnpike around 11:30 a.m. and attempted to wire $20,000 and tellers observed that, whenever they asked him questions about the transfer, he would always text someone on his cellphone before responding.
Believing he may be the victim of a scam, the bank manager called police.
“The customer was initially uncooperative with police and said he was wiring the money, because the person was going to help him,” Police Lt. Kevin McKellick said of the man the customer was texting.
This was before officers learned someone claiming to be from the FBI had contacted the customer a week prior and told him he was somehow connected to a major crime in Vietnam and there was a warrant for his arrest, according to police.
“The caller stated that he could get the warrant removed for $20,000,” McKellick said. “We explained this was a common scam and there is no warrant for his arrest. He was relieved to learn it wasn’t true.”
The victim was not out of any money, however he was advised to contact the three major credit bureaus and to put a freeze on his accounts, because he shared some personal information with the caller, police said.
The matter was referred to the Monroe Police Detective Division for further investigation.
Over 4 times the legal limit
A 38-year-old Monroe man was charged with DUI after witnesses found him passed out behind the wheel of his pickup truck at a stop sign at the intersection of Old Tannery and Wheeler roads Friday night, according to police. His pet rottweiler was inside the vehicle.
At just before 8 p.m., officers responding to the call observed the brake lights of the truck were on and the engine was running, police said, adding officers woke up the driver, who appeared confused, put the truck into park, shut off the engine and removed the keys for everyones’ safety. The truck was in the west bound lane of Old Tannery Road.
While securing the vehicle, police said officers smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver, who admitted to having had two or three drinks earlier.
Department of Motor Vehicles records revealed that the truck’s registration had been expired since October 2023, according to the report.
Police said the driver was unable to answer basic questions and, when asked to step out of the vehicle, was unsteady on his feet, using the side of his truck to keep his balance. Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service personnel evaluated him, but he refused further treatment, police said.
The man did not perform field sobriety tests to standard and breath tests at headquarters showed his blood alcohol level was over four times the legal limit, police said.
He was charged with DUI and operating an unregistered motor vehicle and released after posting seven percent of his $500 bond for an April 21 court date.
Monroe Animal Control took possession of the dog, which stayed at the town facility overnight.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
Why not release the name of the driver? He could have killed someone driving that intoxicated. I understand if they are maybe just at the limit (not excusing this at all), but when he is incoherent and can’t perform normal functions, he could’ve easily killed innocent people. I think that warrants the release of his name, as he should be shamed for this.