Smithville Police Investigators assigned to investigate a lost purse last week ended up charging two people who used the victim’s credit card to purchase and outfit their house with a big screen TV, Surround Sound Stereo System, curtains and a variety of other items.
Detectives initially charged Nicholas Mongello with the theft of the purse.
Chief Tom Stufano says ” Further investigation discovered that Montgello’s roommate was also involved. 23 year old Daniel Rose of 1222 South College Street in Smithville was charged with Criminal Conspiracy after he admitted to escorting Mongello to other area merchants with the intent to defraud. Items were eventually recovered. Mongello was additionally charged with Fraudulent Use of a credit card. Both were taken to the DeKalb County Jail under a $3,500 bond.”
On Sunday May 27th , Smithville Detectives were contacted by the US Secret Service to accompany them to 620 Short Mountain Highway.
Chief Stufano says “Federal agents had received information that a resident of that address had made threats against the President. Further information disclosed that the 62 year old woman being investigated had recently received notification that she would be allowed to visit the White House with other family members. After an hour and a half interview, Federal Agents and Smithville Police concluded that the woman was not a threat, although she had admitted that she had made the verbal threat against the President and had weapons in her house. A family member had phoned the information to the US Secret Service.”
In another investigation, Chief Stufano says a flim-flam may have occurred recently at the Smithville Post Office. A female victim reported that she had run into the Post Office for just a few minutes and upon leaving she was distracted by an unknown white male in his 40’s approximately 6’1″ with a slender build and sporting medium length dirty blonde hair. The subject was wearing a green tee shirt with blue jeans and driving a green Chevy pickup. During the course of the investigation she stated that the conversation was odd as it did not have any specific content. Upon returning to her vehicle the woman found her purse missing. Police are advising that these types of crimes do occur and usually involve 2 to 3 people with distraction techniques.
Chief Stufano says “The Police Department is advising our residents to remain vigilant to suspicious activity and call when they feel something just doesn’t seem right. Smithville Police are committed to investigating any and all crimes committed against our residents and guests.”
Archived News & Obituaries