An officer was dispatched to a reported fraud in the 1300 block of Cove Place on Thursday, June 30. The reporting party, an 80-year-old Anacortes man, reported that he had attempted to subscribe to a streaming service and that he provided his debit card information to a representative. He said that some time after that, it was requested that he obtain Target gift cards to further the process. He obtained four cards with a total of $1,500 on them and provided the card numbers to the representative. He said that following this interaction, the correspondence continued and $9,500 was put into his account, and he was advised that he needed to withdraw this money and place it into a cryptocurrency ATM, at which time he would provide the crypto information to the person he was speaking with. He said he attempted to do this but was unable to figure out how to. He said he called the help number on the ATM and explained the situation, at which time the call taker suggested that he call law enforcement. He said he still had the money that had been placed into his account. His bank advised that it had already frozen his compromised debit card and associated accounts. Prior to the man departing contact with the responding officer, one of the scam numbers called the man back and the responding officer spoke with the man on the phone, claiming to be “Peter Martin.” He said that the Anacortes man needed to go to the crypto ATM and return the money to its rightful owner. The officer advised that the man would be conducting all further business regarding this matter in person. This seemed to upset the man on the phone, and the officer ended the call after several minutes of disagreement from the man.
Anacortes Police also investigated these other cases.
Friday, June 24, 2022
A 50-year-old Anacortes man requested a phone call regarding a theft. An officer contacted him, and he said he had left bags containing his clothes and a cigarette rolling machine next to a light pole at the corner of 9th Street and Market Street. When he returned to the spot where he had left them, they were gone. It is possible someone thought they were abandoned trash bags, as they were stored in black bags. He insisted the bags had been stolen by a couple who had been stalking him for five years through four cities. The officer checked and there are no records of the people he mentioned.
A 35-year-old Anacortes man reported that his bank-issued debit card had been stolen from his incoming mailbox. Whoever took the card had used a phone number to activate the card in the early morning hours and had made several cash withdrawals and a purchase at Best Buy. The man agreed to obtain records showing the times and locations of the transactions so surveillance footage can be obtained.
A 48-year-old Anacortes woman reported that the front and rear license plates had been removed from her motorhome in the 1700 block of M Avenue overnight. The investigation is pending the location of the plates.
An 85-year-old Anacortes woman called to report a mail theft in the 1800 block of Lea Place. An officer contacted her, and she advised that she had been on vacation and discovered her mail that was supposed to be redirected to the post office had been stolen. She contacted her bank and credit card company, and she said a neighbor’s mail had been recently stolen. There are currently no leads regarding who may have taken the mail.
Saturday, June 25, 2022
There was a report of a single shot fired to the north of the 4300 block of Shelby Court. An officer checked the area and did not observe any activity. The sound was most likely fireworks, according to the officer’s report.
An officer was dispatched to Island Hospital in reference to a suspicious subject reportedly taking pictures of cleaning staff through an exterior window. Security requested the subject be banned. Officers responded and located a 29-year-old Mount Vernon man, who said he was trying to use the wi-fi. Officers completed the trespass notice and provided him with it, and he rode away on his bicycle.
The APD responded with the Anacortes Fire Department to a hot tub on fire in the 1200 block of 36th Street. APD provided traffic control while firefighters put out the tub fire.
Sunday, June 26, 2022
A 52-year-old Anacortes woman called regarding a man on the corner of 12th and Commercial with an anti-Republican sign that made use of a curse word. She said the man was yelling and cursing at passing traffic. She was concerned about her children witnessing what was happening. An officer checked the area and did not see any physical or verbal aggression.
A 58-year-old Anacortes man reported that a “skinhead” with a Nazi tattoo, a man bun and bongos had pulled an axe on him after accusing him of having his drug pipe. The reporting party asked the man if he was going to come after him with the axe and the man said, “No, I feel threatened.” The reporting party then walked away, and the man didn’t follow him. The caller only wanted to make the APD aware of the man, as it appeared he had some mental health issues. Officers checked the area (Rotary Park) but did not locate the man.
Monday, June 27, 2022
A 64-year-old Mount Vernon man reported a theft of gas from his box truck located in the 3100 block of T Avenue. He said about 15 to 20 gallons of regular gasoline was siphoned out of the truck overnight. He said he did not have cameras on the area and would check with neighbors to see if they have any.
A 52-year-old Anacortes man reported that his catalytic converter had been stolen from a vehicle he left at a storage facility since earlier in June. He estimated the total damage to be $4,000 and advised that the management at the storage facility were already going through surveillance footage related to the incident.
There was a complaint of an aggressive chihuahua belonging to an owner who likes to argue, in the area of 40thStreet and Broadview Drive. An officer attempted to call the 20-year-old reporting party without success.
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
A 44-year-old Mount Vernon man reported damage done overnight to equipment at a location on H Avenue. He said he had last been there the previous night, and when he arrived in the morning, he noticed that the chain and padlock used to secure the gate were missing. He also observed that two metal panels for the propane power generator had been pried off and were laying on the ground. They checked the perimeter of the fence and did not find any other damage.
The same reporting party called the next day to report that he had installed a new chain to secure the gate and had placed two new metal panels over the generator. He reported that he had returned the morning of June 29 and noticed that the new chain had been cut off and the panels were back on the ground, though nothing appeared to be missing.