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Important Fraud Prevention Notice from Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.

Published

1 year ago

on

Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) today warned its customers that crooks have launched a new round of predatory phone calls aimed at stealing O&R customers’ money. This latest round of harassing phone calls started last week when O&R customers reported a rash of phone calls seeking payment for bogus O&R bills.The scheme goes this way: Crooks posing as O&R employees call unsuspecting customers, inform them that their O&R account has been suspended for non-payment and that an O&R crew will be at their home in 15 minutes to disconnect their electric service.That threat is quickly followed by a demand for immediate payment of the bogus bill balance by prepaid debit card. Customers who have challenged the crook’s report about the fraudulent bill, saying that they checked their account balance online during the phone call, are dismissed as incorrect. The crook then aggressively renews the demand for immediate payment until the customer agrees to pay or hangs up on the crook.

Here are two big reasons not to believe any crook who makes a shutoff threat:
• NO PREPAID DEBIT CARDS – O&R does not accept bill payment for electric and gas utility bills by Green Dot or any other prepaid debit cards. Never has.
• NO IMMEDIATE SHUTOFF – Disconnecting O&R electric or gas service for non-payment of bills involves a multi-step process – including written communications from O&R to the customer over a period of several days, or even weeks — not hours. That process is regulated by the NYS Public Service Commission and NJ Board of Public Utilities.
          Customer vigilance is key to fighting off these crooks.
Remember, if you are feeling threatened or otherwise uncomfortable about your security during the exchange, immediately report the incident to your local police department at 911.

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Crime

Spring Valley Police Arrest Taxi Driver in Violent Kidnapping and Robbery Incident on Ridge Avenue

Published

11 hours ago

on

May 16, 2025

By

SPRING VALLEY, NY — In a disturbing early morning incident, Spring Valley Police responded to a report of a vehicle crash at approximately 1:45 a.m. on May 5, 2025, near 23 Ridge Avenue, only to uncover a far more serious crime involving kidnapping, assault, and attempted robbery.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a visibly injured and distressed female victim. Following a rapid investigation, authorities determined that the woman had been picked up earlier near Evergreen Supermarket by what she believed to be a taxi. During the ride, the driver began operating the vehicle erratically, refused to allow the passenger to exit, and escalated the situation into a violent criminal act.

The vehicle ultimately crashed into a fence, and the driver then attacked the victim with a screwdriver, attempting to rob her and preventing her from escaping. Despite the violent assault, the victim managed to flee the vehicle and call for help.

As the suspect attempted to flee the scene, he nearly collided head-on with another vehicle. Shortly thereafter, he was apprehended by the Ramapo Police Department.
Suspect Identified and Arrested

Following a thorough investigation by the Spring Valley Detective Bureau, 22-year-old Kevin Mazariego-Figueroa of Ramapo, NY was formally charged on May 7, 2025, with multiple serious offenses, including:

Attempted Assault (1st and 2nd Degree)

Kidnapping

Robbery (1st Degree)

Strangulation (2nd Degree)

Criminal Possession of a Weapon (4th Degree)

Mazariego-Figueroa was arraigned by Judge Sweet and remanded to the Rockland County Jail.
Community Safety and Ongoing Investigation

The Spring Valley Police Department commended the bravery of the victim and the swift coordination with Ramapo Police in apprehending the suspect. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in ensuring public safety.

Residents are encouraged to remain cautious when using ride services and to report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately.

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Crime

Wanted: Town of Ramapo Police Department is Sharing on Behalf of The Mahwah Police Department

Published

1 week ago

on

May 8, 2025

By

Do you know Yorhelys Nakari Montilla, a 27-year-old from Spring Valley, NY?
She is currently wanted by the Mahwah Police Department in connection with an incident that occurred within their jurisdiction.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Yorhelys Nakari Montilla, please contact the Mahwah Police Department directly.
𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 $𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬.𝐨𝐫𝐠 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐏 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟖𝟒𝟒-𝟒𝟔𝟔-𝟔𝟕𝟖𝟗 (𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝟐𝟒/𝟕).

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