An Amherst man was arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court on Friday after investigators say he allegedly scammed an elderly Northfield couple out of over $8,000.
According to a press release from the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, authorities said that Rooldens Daniel Bruno, 34, of Amherst, was identified as the suspect in the scam of the Northfield couple, where the couple says Bruno allegedly defrauded them of over $8,000 by calling their home and pretending to be a family member in jail who needed help paying for bail.
Bruno was released on personal recognizance.
The couple, believing Bruno to be a legitimate family member in legal trouble, gathered the sum requested and traveled to a drop-off spot in Northampton where Bruno allegedly met the couple and received the money. According to the DA’s office, police were able to identify Bruno through his license plate number.
Bruno faces charges including failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of property damage and disorderly conduct. These charges stem from Bruno’s arrest in Amherst Thursday evening after he fled from police, crashed his car into a police cruiser and was eventually stopped by an Amherst Police K-9 unit.
Northfield Police expect to file additional charges against Bruno in Northampton District Court. Hadley Police and Amherst Police, as well as members of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Anti-Crime Task Force, assisted with the investigation.
The Northwestern District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit advises citizens to be cautious of unexpected calls requesting money, especially when a caller claims a family member is in trouble, as scammers use fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting before verifying the information.
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, call the Consumer Protection Unit at (413) 586-9225.