By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
Photo provided by Ware Police Department
(Orange, MA) Scams targeting first responders or local police departments are on the rise. Both Orange and Ware police departments are reporting instances of individuals pretending to be police officers in either a harassing manner or fraud.
In Orange, a Lawrence man reported receiving phone calls from someone pretending to be an Orange Police Officer and trying to raise funds for First Responders. The fundraiser was determined to be false. Another Orange woman reported harassing phone calls from an unrestricted number claiming to be the police and threatening to show up at her home and beat her up. According to Orange Police records, the woman was advised to ignore the phone calls.
In Ware, a 51 year old man was arrested and charged with drug possession and Impersonating a Police Officer. Darrell Marino of Palmer is accused of walking into a Ware McDonalds and presenting allegedly fake paperwork to request a donation to a non-existent police fundraiser. Marino is believed to have committed other such fraud schemes including one targeting the Springfield Police Department and the Environmental Police. Anyone who believes himself or herself to be a victim of this individual is advised to call their local police department.