Police probe fraud in Manassas: Caller tells business it is behind on its electric bill

Fraud
At approximately 2:45PM on October 28, 2013 Manassas City Police responded to “Ashton Avenue Diner” located at 9920 Cockrell Rd for a report of fraud.

Upon arrival, the Officer was connected with someone who had called the business claiming to be an employee of a local power company.  The caller said that the business was behind on its electric bill and was instructed to pay the balance by purchasing several prepaid cards and conveying the card numbers to the caller over the phone.

This is an ongoing investigation.

The City of Manassas Department of Public Works is the exclusive provider of utilities within the City of Manassas.  To contact the Department of Public Works, visit http://www.manassascity.org/publicworks or call 703-257-8219.

Breaking and Entering
At approximately 6:30AM on October 25, 2013 Manassas City Police responded to 10591 Redoubt Rd in reference to a breaking and entering.  Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the front window of the building had been broken and tools valued at over $2,000.00 were missing from the business.  The building was last known to be secure at 4:00PM on October 24, 2013.

Burglary
At approximately 6:00AM on October 26, 2013 Manassas City Police responded to the 9200 block of Lee Ave for a report of a burglary in progress.  The victim’s alarm had been activated by someone(s) attempting to enter through the front window of the residence.

Breaking and Entering
At approximately 3:30PM on October 25, 2013 Manassas City Police responded to the 10300 block of Massie St in reference to a breaking and entering in progress.

Upon arrival, Officers learned from the reporting party that a person matching the description below knocked on a neighbor’s door and after receiving no response gained access into the unit by kicking the door.  The suspect also entered the adjacent residence before fleeing the scene on foot in the direction of 7th Regiment Dr.

According to the victims, no items were taken.

Description of suspect: Black male, approximately 6’ and 200 lbs, wearing a gray long-sleeve sweatshirt, light colored blue jeans, and a black hat with a brim that went all the way around

Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts
At approximately 8:30AM on October 26, 2013 Manassas City Police responded to the 10300 block of Flowerree Ln for a report of larceny.  According to the victim, someone(s) removed the front passenger side wheel from his blue Pontiac G6 during the overnight hours after 9:00PM on October 25, 2013 and replaced it with a concrete downspout drain.

Hit and Run
At approximately 5:30AM on October 27, 2013 a Manassas City Police Officer on patrol discovered two parked vehicles that had been hit along Liberia Ave at the intersection of Carlton Dr.  Upon further investigation, the Officer found several metal parts on the ground that belonged to a Chrysler 300 most likely to be the suspect vehicle in the crash.

This is an ongoing investigation.

***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 Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest in these cases.  The confidential 24-hour tip line is (703) 330-0330