Bainbridge blotter | IRS scammer targets Bainbridge senior

Published 11:13 am Saturday, August 15, 2015

Selected reports from the Bainbridge Island Police Department blotter.

THURSDAY, JULY 30

1:02 p.m. A 74-year-old Bainbridge woman said she received a check and a letter from the IRS that was an overpayment refund for her taxes. Her accountant told her the check was probably fraudulent.

Several days later she received a call with a number identification that said it was originating in Jamaica, and someone wanted to talk to her about her tax account.

The woman hung up before giving any information.

TUESDAY, JULY 28

4:45 p.m. An employee at Wildernest on Winslow called police about a shoplifter.

The worker said a woman had taken five items into a changing room (three shirts, a pair of pants and a dress valued at $400). When the woman came out of the dressing room, the employee discovered the items were missing.

The clerk left and found the woman and brought her back to the store. The shoplifter then returned the items and asked the employee not to call police. Moments later, she then bolted out of the front door and ran away toward the ferry.

The employee told police the woman’s bag may have contained merchandise stolen from other local businesses.