via – Newport Police department
On September 19, 2017, at about 4:30 p.m., a local woman received a phone call from a male party identifying himself as “Sgt. David Chapman of the Newport County Sheriff’s Office”. She was told she has a warrant for her arrest and he needed to confirm her identity. She hung the phone up and the male party called back and left a message indicating that he had Deputies in route to her residence to arrest her.
When the number was called back, it went to an automated answering service stating it’s the “Newport County Sheriff’s Office” with prompts to connect with several Deputies as well as “Sgt. David Chapman”. The provided number is not associated with the Newport County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 7:30 p.m., a local woman received a call from a male party identifying himself as “Newport Police Officer David Chapman, badge #8505”. She was told that a relative missed a court date in New York and owed the court money. She was told that unless she could pay the money owed, her relative would be arrested.
Both of these female victims are in their 70’s and live locally. Fortunately they called the Newport Police Department to report these incidents. The male party calling sounds very convincing as does the number he provides for a call back.
At no time would a Newport Police Officer or other law enforcement officer call on the phone and attempt to retrieve any type of payment for court fines or other violations. If you do receive a call, DO NOT provide any credit card or personal information to the caller. Please call the Newport Police Department immediately at 401-847-1302.
The Newport Police Department does not have an officer named “David Chapman” nor does the Rhode Island Sheriff’s Office. These incidents are currently under investigation.
