Author: John Cleere

On 05/31/2023 at about 2:00 PM a woman received a phone call while at her workplace in the Town of Romulus. The caller identified herself as the woman’s daughter and spoke in the daughter’s voice. The caller sounded very upset and said that she had been in an accident and had a broken nose. The caller said that she was under arrest and needed bail money or was going to jail. The woman receiving the call stated that it sounded exactly like her daughter and even mentioned her daughter’s boyfriend’s correct name.  The caller asked the victim not to call her boyfriend as she wanted to give him the news face to face. A man then got in the phone and identified himself as police officer Daniel Harris. Harris explained that the bail was $9500 and that the charges were texting while driving and reckless endangerment. He said that her daughter rear-ended a pregnant driver.

The victim stated that she could not pay $9500. The bogus police officer stated that the public defender could get the bail lowered and asked how much she could afford. The victim was to call back with the amount she could pay and instead spoke with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.

This call has been confirmed as a scam. The scammer is suspected of pulling an audio sample and personal information from social media to be used in constructing the call. Several red flags were present that the public should be aware of:

1. The charges reported were not eligible for bail under New York State’s Bail Reform.
2. The number was from a 646 area code which is a Manhattan NY area code.    
3.  It is highly irregular for a police officer to be negotiating bail.
4. The caller did not want her to call the boyfriend—(the boyfriend could have confirmed that the woman’s daughter was okay and not involved in the accident.   

Scammers count on a parent, grandparent or other family member to be emotionally upset enough not to question the validity of the call. With computer software easily available to copy and mimic any voice these types of scams are expected to continue.  

We are asking the public to be aware and spread the word about these despicable scams. Never send money or give bank account or credit card info to anyone without 100% confirmation. If there is ever any doubt, contact local law enforcement before you send any money or give any personal information. In this case the woman receiving the call saved herself a lot of money by having it checked out.

   SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR APRIL 2023

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 1923

Total Arrests: 43  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 10; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $125,976

Mental Health Calls: 14

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 13

Total arrests: 8

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 27

Transports: 58     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 24

Total Income Executions: 14

Total Evictions: 4

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

April 3^rd, 2023: Deputies responded to a Domestic Violence call in Interlaken. The aggressor was charged for allegedly strangling a victim.

April 6^th, 2023: Deputies responded to a Domestic Violence case in Waterloo involving a knife assault. Arrests were made for assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

April 11^th, 2023: NARCO executed a search warrant in Waterloo that netted an unregistered handgun, $6000 in cash and suspected drugs. Two suspects were arrested.

April 14^th, 2023: Investigators charged an adult suspect with impersonation and endangering after investigating inappropriate text messages received by underage females.

April 19^th, 2023: NARCO charged 2 suspects for allegedly possessing methamphetamine in Waterloo.

April 20^th, 2023: The SCSO held their annual awards ceremony. Deputy James Picchi received the Officer of the year award. Investigators received a Unit Citation for the handling of a homicide.

April 2023: Welfare fraud investigations in April resulted in 3 persons being charged for a total of 4 misdemeanors and 4 felonies.

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce / Undersheriff John Cleere

^{On Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, 10am to 2pm, Seneca County Police Agencies will be partnering with the DEA and the Seneca County Substance Abuse Coalition, to conduct a DRUG TAKE BACK DAY in  Seneca County. Officers will be at 3 different locations to collect potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked and no paperwork to complete.}

^{Seneca Falls Police Department will be at Kinney: 2085 Rt. 5&20 Seneca Falls.}

^{Waterloo Police Department will be at Walgreens: 1929 Rt. 5&20 Waterloo.}

^{Seneca County Sheriff’s Office will be at Kinney:  7115 North Main St. Ovid.}

^{Police Officers and members from the Seneca County Substance Abuse Coalition will also be available to answer questions and provide helpful information about substance abuse if so desired. Gun Safety Locks will be available at all locations. There will also be free Narcan training at the Waterloo and Seneca Falls sites.}

^{Sheriff Luce, Seneca Falls Police Chief Snyder and Waterloo Police Chief Chechak all commented on the danger of these drugs falling into the wrong hands if not disposed of. Many of these drugs can also be hazardous to the environment if not properly destroyed.}     

^{The sites cannot accept liquids, needles or other sharps—only pills or patches please!}

SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR FEBRUARY 2023

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 2038

Total Arrests: 65  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 10 ; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $62,426

Mental Health Calls: 3

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 10

Total arrests: 14

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 33

Transports: 46     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 22

Total Income Executions: 23

Total Evictions: 5

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

February 1^st, 2023: Deputies responded to an assault in progress in Ovid. A suspect was taken into

custody without incident.

February 2^nd, 2023: NARCO arrested a suspect for allegedly possessing crack cocaine.

February 9^th, 2023: Deputies executed a bench warrant for failing to appear on an unauthorized use of a vehicle charge in Romulus.

February 17^th, 2023: A serious domestic violence case in Lodi resulted in numerous felony charges. It is alleged that the suspect broke into a residence twice, assaulted a person and stole property.

February 24^th, 2023: A fatal car accident occurred on Route 89 in Covert when a car left the road and crashed into a deep gully with a stream in the bottom. One person was killed and 3 injured in this devastating event. Investigators have determined that the root cause was a distracted driver.

February 2023: The DHS fraud Unit and Investigators made arrests of 3 persons on separate fraud cases. Charges totaled 4 felonies and 1 misdemeanor.

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce, Undersheriff John Cleere

Travel Advisory – No Unnecessary Travel

Description:

Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Luce has issued a No Unnecessary Travel Advisory. This travel advisory is issued as a result of the National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning for Seneca County.

This No Unnecessary Travel Advisory is in effect until further notice. This travel advisory does not restrict travel. It is, however, a warning to motorists that hazardous driving conditions may exist. This advisory will be canceled when the winter storm has moved out of the area and road conditions have improved.

Significant amounts of snow are still expected to fall throughout Seneca County overnight and tomorrow which will make travel dangerous. With the effect of the higher winds drifting on the North-South roads in the County have made travel dangerous. County Highway crews are working to clear roads. For the safety of all residents, the general public is encouraged to consider the need to be on the roads during these times. Please use extreme caution, lower your speeds while traveling in or around Seneca County.

This advisory is in cooperation and partnership with Seneca County’s Emergency Management Director Melissa Taylor and Highway Superintendent Roy Gates.

On March 10, 2023, at about 3:30pm, Seneca County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested Preston W. Fullerton, Sr., age 43, of 797 Kime Road, Geneva, New York, on charges of Strangulation in the Second Degree and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. It is alleged that Fullerton subjected three children to physical abuse over a period of time. It is further alleged that he restricted the airway of one of the children during one incident. Fullerton was arraigned in the Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Court and released to pre-trial supervision. Orders of protection were issued on behalf of the victims. Fullerton is to reappear in the Fayette Town Court at a later date.

SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR DECEMBER 2022

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 2424

Total Arrests: 53  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 13; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $139,099.18

Mental Health Calls: 12

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 8

Total arrests: 3

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 30

Transports: 46     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 25

Total Income Executions: 13

Total Evictions: 6

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

December 3^rd, 2022: Deputies conducted the annual “Shop With a Sheriff” program and took 10 children Christmas shopping.

December 16^th 2022: Deputies responded with firefighters to a truck fire on Waterloo. The fire caused about $50,000 in damages and was determined to be accidental.

December 30^th, 2022: Investigators responded to a burglary at a Waterloo business. After investigation, stolen property was recovered and 2 suspects were charged.

December 30^th, 2022: Deputies responded to a domestic violence incident in Waterloo that allegedly turned physical. A suspect was charged for harassment and criminal mischief.

December 2022: Mental Health Workers and Corrections Officers conducted the Sheriff’s Christmas Angel program. Presents were obtained and delivered to 16 children who had a parent in jail. The presents were sent in the name of the eligible parent.  

December 2022: The high price of eggs is not a problem at the jail. Inmates are raising egg-laying chickens producing about 50 eggs per week that are used in preparing meals for the inmates.    

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce

Undersheriff John Cleere

***UPDATE*** Previous phone number listed was incorrect. Correct phone # is listed below.

The new gun laws in New York can be confusing and are constantly in flux with ongoing Court challenges. To assist Seneca County businesses and citizens Sheriff Tim Luce has made laminated signs available to Seneca County businesses who support lawful concealed carry on their premises. The signs are free of charge and available by calling or emailing Danielle Thompson at 315-220-3403 dthompson@co.seneca.ny.us. Signs can be picked up or delivered.

The new gun laws in New York can be confusing and are constantly in flux with ongoing Court challenges. To assist Seneca County businesses and citizens Sheriff Tim Luce has made laminated signs available to Seneca County businesses who support lawful concealed carry on their premises. The signs are free of charge and available by calling or emailing Danielle Thompson at 315-220-3403 dthompson@co.seneca.ny.us. Signs can be picked up or delivered.

SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

MONTHLY SNAPSHOT FOR OCTOBER 2022

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Total Calls For Service: 1477

Total Arrests: 54  

D.H.S. Fraud Cases: 4; Yearly Total Cost Recouped:  $128,525.18

Mental Health Calls: 20

NARCO:

Total new drug cases: 6

Total arrests: 10

CORRECTIONS:

Average Number of Inmates: 28

Transports: 68     

CIVIL:

Total Summons/Complaints/Services: 25

Total Income Executions: 20

Total Evictions: 8

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

October 2^nd, 2022: Pheasants raised by inmates at the jail were released into the wild. 50 pheasants were raised this year.

October 4th, 2022: Deputies responded to a dispute with a gun involved in Waterloo. A suspect was charged with menacing and the gun was safely recovered.

October 13^th, 2022: Deputies responded to a fatal car accident on State Route 318, Town of Tyre. Investigators and accident reconstruction were deployed. The case is still open.

October 21^st, 2022: Officers responded to a fight in Tyre. A suspect was charged with assault and resisting arrest.

October 24^th, 2022: NARCO charged 2 suspects in Waterloo during a cocaine sale investigation. $11,000 cash and 30 grams of crack cocaine were seized.  

October 24^th, 2022: Investigators charged a 33 year old suspect in Covert for allegedly disseminating indecent material to a 16 year old victim.

October 28^th, 2022: NARCO recovered a 50 caliber assault weapon possessed in violation of an Order of Protection in Ovid.

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce, Undersheriff John Cleere