Apr 25, 2024 2 min read

PETERS

Scam: Maleik Lamar Simms, 28, of Norfolk, Va., is charged by Peters Township police with access device fraud, theft by deception and forgery. According to the criminal complaint, in November a Peters Township woman reported to police that she saw a car listed for sale on Facebook by an account she believed belonged to an acquaintance. The account requested that the victim pay a $750 downpayment to a Venmo account under Simms’ name. According to police, the original owner of the Facebook account that listed the car was “hacked” and lost access before the post was made. There is an active warrant for Simms’ arrest.

Theft: Julie D. Simko, 53, of Peters Township, is charged by Peters Township police with access device fraud, theft by lawful taking and financial exploitation of an older adult. According to the criminal complaint, Simko transferred about $1,000 from her 91-year-old care-dependent father’s bank account to herself. Simko claimed it was payment for taking care of him. Police said Simko was not authorized to withdraw money from the account. In an interview with police, Simko played a recording of a conversation between her and father that she claimed was proof he had authorized payments. However, police write in the complaint that he was not aware he was being recorded and that Simko appears to have “directed” him to agree. Simko was arraigned Tuesday morning before District Judge Phillippe Melograne, who released her on $5,000 unsecured bond.

WASHINGTON

Theft: Kyle Ray Caldwell, 28, and Casey McGowan, 24, both of Washington, were charged by Washington police with burglary, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 6 Caldwell and McGowan entered a home in Jollick Manor and stole two safes and several cartons of cigarettes. One of the safes contained about $50,000. Both were arraigned Tuesday night before District Judge James Saieva, who sent them to the Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.