Bitcoin Scam Demands Payment to Prevent Data Leak: Russell Township Police Blotter
A Russell Township resident contacted police on the afternoon of Sept. 16 after receiving a suspicious email demanding a bitcoin payment. The email threatened to release the resident’s personal information unless the ransom was paid.
Upon review, officers identified the email as a generic phishing scam, a common cyber-fraud technique used to scare victims into paying. The police reassured the resident and offered advice on how to handle such scams.
Animal Bite Reported on East Willard Road
On Sept. 19, police received a report regarding a dog bite incident at 2:50 p.m. No further details were provided in the initial report, but authorities are investigating the matter.
Suspicious Item Found on Kinsman Road
A concerned woman approached police on Sept. 18 after discovering a suspicious item in her barn. She showed officers a photograph of the object, which was identified as a railroad flare. The officers instructed the woman on how to safely dispose of it.
Assistance on Kinsman Road
At 9:43 a.m. on Sept. 19, officers responded to a call about a man walking along County Line Road. The man was offered a courtesy ride to a nearby gas station in Newbury Township.
Traffic Complaint on Chillicothe Road
Police received a report of a tanker truck recklessly passing vehicles and sounding its horn on Sept. 17. An officer located the truck and followed it into Newbury Township. Further actions were not mentioned.