Man in white van attempts to pick up juvenile at Manassas bus stop, city police report

Recent events reported by Manassas City Police:

Suspicious Event
On January 19, 2018 at approximately 7 p.m., officers of the Manassas City Police Department met with a complainant for a report of a suspicious event. The complainant told police at approximately 6:45 a.m. on January 19, 2018 her juvenile son was walking to the bus stop in the area of Point of Woods Dr at Liberia Ave when he was approached by a male subject in a van. The male suspect told the juvenile to “get in the van,” The juvenile immediately fled the area.

The suspect is described as a 45 year-old, heavy-set Hispanic male. The suspect vehicle is described as a white work van with blue lettering above the rear tires of the vehicle.

Anyone with information about this event is encouraged to call the Manassas City Police Department Investigative Services Division at 703-257-8092 or Crime Solvers. The Manassas City/Manassas Park Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case. The confidential 24-hour tip line is 703-330-0330.

Fraud
On January 19, 2018, an officer of the Manassas City Police Department met with a complainant for a report of a fraud. The victim told police she had received an email from Apple stating she had an overdue bill from ITunes in the amount of several hundred dollars. The victim was asked to confirm sensitive personal information in order to make payment for the overdue bill. The victim later spoke to an Apple representative who advised her she did not have an overdue bill.
Crime Prevention Tips:
Phishing emails often are made to appear to come from a legitimate business in an attempt to get you to provide them with private information.
Signs of phishing emails:
-Poor spelling and grammar
-Offer seems too good to be true
-Asks for personal information
-Asks you to send money to cover expenses
-Makes unrealistic threats

Fraud
On January 18, 2018, an officer with the Manassas City Police Department met with a citizen for a report of an attempted fraud. The victim told police she was contacted via phone by a company claiming to offer CDs which are designed to assist the victim in becoming proficient in the English language. The victim stated the company instructed her to be home when the FedEx package arrived and to provide the delivery driver with a money order as payment for the CD’s. The victim told police a few days later she received a paper notification at her residence from what she believed to be from FedEx, stating a delivery was attempted at her home.

The victim then received a phone call from a person claiming to be a law enforcement officer. The alleged law enforcement officer told the victim she was in breach of contract for not purchasing the CD’s and told her she now owed several thousand dollars. The victim received several more phone calls from the alleged company demanding payment. The victim realized the incident was a scam and contacted police.
Crime Prevention Tip:
- Only make purchases from reputable companies
- Do research on the business before you make payment for goods or services
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is
- Beware of unsolicited offers

**END**

Anyone with information about these events is encouraged to call the Manassas City Police Department Investigative Services Division at 703.257.8092 or Crime Solvers. The Manassas City/Manassas Park Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in these cases. The confidential 24-hour tip line is 703.330.0330.
Si usted tiene información sobre estos eventos, favor de llamar al departamento de policía de la ciudad de Manassas a 703.257.8092, o a la solucionistr de crimen (Crime Solvers). Crime Solvers pagará un premio de hasta $1,000 en efectivo por información que ayude en arrestar los sospechosos en estos casos. Llame las 24 horas al 703.330.0330. Nunca tiene que dar su nombre; solamente la información.