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Woman reports fake collection attempt

JONESBORO — Jonesboro police said a Jonesboro woman was contacted by a California firm several times between June 25 and Thursday that claimed it was trying to collect money for a delinquent account. Detective Ernest Ward said the woman identified the company as Crime Monitoring Center, located in Cambodia, Calif.

There is no city in California by the name of Cambodia, according to Rand McNally Atlas and information from the Internet.

The officer’s report stated the incident is being investigated as a financial identity fraud. Ward said the complainant was contacted by a man with a heavy Middle Eastern accent who claimed to work for the company and that she owes money to the Advance National Payday. The woman was instructed to write a letter of apology to the Crime Monitoring Center and asked to fax a letter authorizing the man to use her credit card to complete the transaction and clear the debt.

Ward said the woman attempted to get more information from the caller and was refused. She told the officer the calls continued for the last week every three to 12 minutes throughout the day.

Ward said he attempted to contact the company Thursday and talked to a man who identified himself as Alex Smith, who said he was an attorney for Crime Monitoring Center. The person had a very heavy accent, and Ward said it was difficult to understand what he was saying. He also talked to a person who identified himself as Jimmy McKeel, the owner of the Crime Monitoring Center.

The officer said a fax number provided by one of the men was apparently bogus and was different from a fax number provided to the complainant.

—Curt Hodges

Woman allegedly stole medical items

JONESBORO — Police said a Jonesboro woman has posted $500 bond after being arrested at Wal-Mart Supercenter, 1815 East Highland Drive, on Thursday.

Police information indicated the woman is to appear in Craighead County District Court Monday in connection with the theft of several over-the-counter medical items.

Other incidents reported to Jonesboro police:

• A 2009 scooter was reported taken from 1501 Arrowhead Farm Road between June 12 and Friday.

• A male wearing a red shirt and driving a black Pontiac Grand Prix pumped $36 worth of gasoline at the Kum & Go, 2607 South Stadium Blvd., at 11:20 p.m. Thursday and left without paying for the fuel.

• Allan L. Hathcoat, 3308 Rosewood Cove, reported someone took $2,500 in cash from the console of his pickup truck between 9:30 p.m. Thursday and 5:30 a.m. Friday.

• Craig Wayne Ross, 4202 Merry Sue Cove, reported his pickup truck burglarized between 10:30 a.m. Thursday and 7:30 a.m. Friday at his residence. Missing was a black iPod Zoom.

• Taylor Mitchell Goldman, 4303 Aggie Road, reported a silver iPod taken from his Ford Explorer between 6:30 and 8 a.m. Friday. He said other items from his vehicle had been scattered on the ground.

—Curt Hodges

Jonesboro firefighters answer 5 alarms

JONESBORO — The Jonesboro Fire Department responded to the following alarms during the 30-hour period ending at 6 p.m. Friday.

• At 12:31 p.m. Thursday, 2828 East Highland Drive, vehicle extrication with injuries.

• At 7:12 p.m. Thursday, 3204 Bowden Drive, false alarm.

Firefighters also responded to three medical assists.