Police Blotter: A Computer Scam Gets Victim to Send $200

Watsonville Police Department Press Log: 

Wednesday, Oct. 3:

6:13 a.m.—Unknown suspect(s) used an unknown object to break the driver's window of a vehicle parked and locked on the 300 block of Bree Lane. There is no witness or suspect information and the case was closed. 

8:25 a.m.—Maria Matias, 32, was contacted by police on the 1900 block of Main Street and found to be in possession of a controlled substance for sale. Martin Acosta, 30, was also contacted and also found in possession of a controlled substance. Both were transported to jail.

10:32 a.m.—Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence through an open rear sliding glass door and removed items from inside. There is no witness or suspect information and the case was closed. 

11:28 a.m.—Jay Shah was arrested on an outside felony warrant on the 1600 block of West Beach street. He was transported to county jail. 

12:18 p.m.—Ernesto Murillo was arrested for violation of probation on East Lake Avenue and Madison Street and transported to county jail.

1:23 p.m.—Two male juveniles were arrested for possession of marijuana and tobacco products on the 1900 block of Main Street. They were cited and released to their parents.

3:00 p.m.—Carlos Echevarria, 34, punched the victim in the face during a verbal altercation on the 1400 block of Freedom Boulevard. The incident started over the victim's car door striking Echevarria's car while both vehicles were parked.

8:52 p.m.—A male juvenile reported his BMX style bicycle, which was locked to the bike rack, was stolen from the Watsonville High School gym by an unknown suspect(s). The bike was painted black, with a Raider's emblem and silver wheel spokes. 

9:41 p.m.—A Victim on the 100 block of Loma Prieta Avenue received a message on her computer reportedly from the FBI. The message told her to submit $200 for violation of copyright laws and her computer will be locked until paid. Victim purchased a "Money Pack" and sent the money to the reply address.

Sergeant Eric Taylor of Watsonville Police said, "There was a pop up message on her computer that said her computer has been locked for illegally downloaded material, and the only way to unlock her computer is to go to either Walmart, CVS, KMart, 711 or Walgreens, pick up a money pack for $200 cash."

The victim followed these directions and sent the money, but it did not unlock her computer.

The message had an FBI logo in its header, but Sgt. Taylor says it's one of many similar scams out there.

"As usual, if something seems strange, call the police first. Don't give money out to someone you don't know," said Sgt. Taylor.

11:30 p.m.—Guillermo Arevalos, 39, was arrested on the 300 block of Main Street for an outstanding warrant.