Two men, alleged to have swindled a Haverhill couple by posing as police who held their daughter, were arrested this past Wednesday in Connecticut after Haverhill detectives tracked their whereabouts.
Thirty-year-old Harold Perez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 33-year-old Victor Irving Francisco Bonilla of Bridgeport, Conn., were arrested by Connecticut State Police and charged with false pretenses, swindle, confidence game and all other larceny and are expected to be extradited to Haverhill to face addition charges of extortion by threat of injury, two counts; larceny over $1,200 by single scheme; attempt to commit a crime; and conspiracy.
Haverhill Police said Perez and Bonilla contacted the Haverhill couple while pretending to be police and legal officials and falsely claimed the couple’s daughter was involved in a serious car accident and jailed. The men demanded a large cash payment to secure her release that was sent via a rideshare service they arranged. After collecting the money, the men made a second call asking for more money.
“At that point, the couple became suspicious. Demonstrating calm and presence of mind, they contacted the Haverhill Police Department immediately. Their quick action allowed our detectives to respond swiftly and launch an investigation,” Haverhill Police said in a release.
Haverhill detectives tracked the rideshare vehicle used to carry the cash and, working with both Massachusetts and Connecticut State Police, tracked the men to Connecticut, where they were found with “a significant sum of money” and arrested without incident.
“This scam was calculated and heartless, designed to exploit the fear and love parents feel for their children. Thanks to the courage of the victims and outstanding interagency cooperation, we were able to stop these scammers from targeting more families,” Haverhill Police added.
Police remind residents to be cautious of telephone calls requesting urgent payments for legal or bail-related issues. They said police will never ask for cash over the phone or use rideshare drivers to collect money.
Haverhill Police also ask that anyone with additional information is asked to call Detective Douglas Angus at 978-373-1212, ext. 1552.