Traffic Stop Leads To Identity Theft Charges
On Thursday October 25, 2018, a Newark Police officer was on routine patrol on East Main Street at approximately 9:15 p.m. The officer observed a vehicle pull out onto East Main Street and was driving with no headlights on. A traffic stop was initiated by the officer. The officer contacted a male driver who presented the officer with a piece of paper that contained a photocopied foreign driver’s license. The male claimed to be from the United Kingdom. The female passenger gave a conflicting account as to their identities. During a search of the vehicle, a large amount of United States Currency and Foreign currency was located. Also located in the vehicle were various bank account and legal documents containing multiple identities. Officers were unable to confirm either person’s identity and they were taken into custody.
During a search at NPD Headquarters, officers located 5 credit cards and 3 fictitious drivers licenses on the female, all of which contained the male’s picture. After further investigation, officers were able to identify the male driver as 49-year-old John A. Medina of Bronx, NY and the female passenger as 33-year-old Grace Umoffia of Bronx, NY.
Based upon the paperwork, credit cards, and fictitious drivers’ licenses, all of which had stolen identity’s on them, officers charged them with the following:
John A. Medina (No Photo Available)
Identity Theft (4 Counts)
Forgery 2nd Degree (14 Counts)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Driving Without Headlights
Grace Umoffia
Identity Theft (4 counts)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree
John Medina was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued $140,001 cash bond. Medina was transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institute in lieu of bail.
Grace Umoffia was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued $84,000 cash bond. Umoffia was transported to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute in lieu of bail.
Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Anderson at WAnderson@newark.de.us or 302-366-7100 ext. 3469 or Officer Vari at AVari@newark.de.us or 302-366-7100 ext. 3486.
Grace Umoffia
Newark Police to Participate in the 16th National Take-Back Initiative
On Saturday, October 27, 2018, Newark Police will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative. Between the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm, members of the public may surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. The event will occur in the Newark Police Department lobby located at 220 South Main Street, Newark.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. This one-day effort will bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.
According to the DEA:
- Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.
- Pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision.
- The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America.
- The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends —and the home medicine cabinet.
- Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
The program is anonymous and members of the public surrendering substances will not be asked for their name. During the event, controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter medications will be collected. In addition, liquid products and creams in their containers will also be accepted. Sharps and syringes will NOT be accepted due to the potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens.
For further information, visit DEATakeBack.com
