Sonoma police: Local woman loses $39,000 in email scam

On Wednesday, July 7, a resident of the 600 block of Oak Lane told Sonoma police that she received a fraudulent email reportedly from the Geek Squad, telling her that they had renewed her account for $40. Since the woman didn’t have any such account, she called the phone number on the email to cancel. She talked with a man about canceling, but he then told her that he accidentally put $40,000 into her account, and that she would have to return $39,000 of it. And, if she didn’t return the $39,000, the FBI would be notified.

The woman then arranged for her bank to transfer the funds to an overseas Chinese bank account.

Police have no suspect information.

In other incidents reported recently to Valley law enforcement:

Saturday, June 26:

2:20 p.m. – Hardly a week doesn’t go by without at least one catalytic converter theft. The owner of a 2004 Prius, whose car was parked in the 700 block of Oak Lane, reported that his catalytic converter was taken sometime between Thursday, June 24, and this date.

Sunday, June 27:

3:31 p.m. – Deputies responded to a battery in the 400 block of Bernice Lane. A 14-year-old girl reportedly punched and kicked her mother after an argument over cleaning the girl’s room. The teen was cited to Sonoma’s Youth and Family Services.

5:31 p.m. – Deputies responded to a residence in the 2200 of Trinity Road for a burglary call. Deputies discovered two suspicious persons in the garage looking for tools and both were arrested. A male suspect was also arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and a drug warrant out of Napa County. No stolen items were found in their vehicle.

Monday, June 28:

9:03 a.m. – Deputies arrested a female who was in a parked vehicle in the alley off of Bay Street near Grove. During a search of the vehicle, the deputies found a meth pipe and stolen items including laptop computers, GPS devices along with other electronic equipment and cellphones worth approximately $12,000. The female suspect was booked into county jail.

Tuesday, June 29:

7:46 a.m. – A resident in the 700 block of Donner reported that an unknown suspect gained entrance to his garage with a garage door opener that was in an unlocked car, and stole a Trek bicycle that was valued at $2,000. The thief left a red tool bag behind on the ground by the unlocked vehicle. Police have no suspect information.

1:11 p.m. – Deputies assisted Solano County in a search of a residence in the 400 block of Laurel Avenue in Kenwood for a suspect wanted for a domestic violence incident. During the arrest, deputies also found suspected methamphetamine on the suspect.

1:12 p.m. – A resident in the 18000 block of Highway 12 reported that an unknown person or persons stole performance wheels and parts from his car. The estimated loss was $950.

2:57 p.m. – An unknown person broke a front window in a business in the 18000 block of Highway 12. The damage was estimated at $1,000.

Wednesday, June 30:

11:49 a.m. – Deputies responded to the 100 block of Boyes Boulevard for a man causing a disturbance and drinking in a public parking lot. He was booked into county jail.

4:52 p.m. – A resident in the 300 block of Janero Place reported that multiple tools were stolen from the bed of his pickup truck. City police are waiting for a complete list of stolen items.