The IRS calling scam is making the rounds through Indiana again.  As with past warnings on alleged government representatives calling to threaten immediate jailing for not cooperating with the person calling, please remember to NEVER give personal information to the caller.

Such personal information to never give over the phone to an unverified caller would include:

·         Bank Account Numbers

·         Social Security Number

·         Birth Date

·         Credit Card Numbers

The most recent scam involves this phone number: 347-389-0029

Citizens should keep in mind that the phone numbers will change frequently.  Whenever you receive a call claiming legal action is pending, or any of the hundreds of various scams that have the common thread of trying to get people to part with large sums of money, you can be certain the call is fraudulent.

A quick check citizens can make to confirm if a phone number is associated with a scam it to type the phone number into your favorite search engine.  You’ll typically see the number has been reported as being associated to scam activity.

Regrettably, these scams nearly always trace back to a foreign country and it is virtually impossible to successfully prosecute the persons responsible for these criminal acts.  Unfortunately these scams will continue as long as a percentage of the population responds by sending money to the scammers.

When an unsolicited call comes to your home, business of cell phone and has the common factors of being threatening and demanding money, be assured that 99.9% of the time it is a scam.  Just hang-up.  They won’t call back.  They will just move on to the next number looking for someone to victimize.

For more details on IRS scams, visit this website: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Warns-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam

After one burglary suspect was at large for most of the day Thursday, he is now under arrest, along with two others, with more arrests to follow after a rash of burglaries around Washington County, some dating back to Winter 2014.

Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to serve a warrant for theft on James Pumphrey, 37, Henryville on Thursday afternoon at Partin’s Auto Salvage, 3859 N Cox Ferry Rd, Salem.

According to Sheriff Roger Newlon, the person had been going between counties. A tip told them he was at Partin’s.

“He was across the road and watched the police pull in and he ran into the field,” said Newlon. “We’ve been searching for him ever since.”

After investigating several thefts and burglaries in Washington County, Deputy Brad Naugle, Detective Brent Miller and other officers developed suspects in the case.

Naugle had received information about Pumphrey’s location on Wednesday, April 15 and a warrant was issued.

As officers arrived, Pumphrey fled the scene on foot into a field and then into a wooded area.

While at the area on Cox Ferry Road, another person of interest was located – Randy L. Pumphrey, 32, the brother of the suspect, who was later arrested after admitting his involvement in at least one of the burglaries.

Priscilla Crane, 31, Louisville, was also arrested for warrants in Kentucky.

James Pumphrey led police around the area all afternoon and evening and was last reported in the Highland Church area. At some point, he received a ride to Henryville where at approximately 11p, he was located at his mother’s residence in Henryville. He was taken into custody and transported to the Clark County Detention Center.

WSLM contacted Newlon last evening after several reports from concerned citizens. Newlon said wanted to put the public at ease. “This is not a person who is believed to be dangerous,” he said.

James is charged with three counts of burglary, Level 4 Felony; six counts of theft, Level 6 Felony and two counts of burglary, Level 5 Felony, three counts of aiding, inducing or causing an offence (burglary), Level 4 Felony; three counts of aiding, inducing or causing an offence (burglary) Level 5 Felony.

Randy Pumphrey has been charged with one count of aiding in burglary, a level 4 Felony.

Naugle said the investigation is continuing and more arrests could be possible.