Breaking news - cheektowaga police
July 26, 2026
July 22, 2026
She thought she was calling 'Microsoft Security.' Then she was scammed out of $360K
Buffalo News July 22, 2026
The scam started with an alert flashing on a Town of Tonawanda woman's computer screen with instructions to call “Microsoft Security.”
Someone was trying to complete a $22,000 transaction using one of her accounts, the woman was falsely warned.
Afraid of losing money, she did as instructed. So began her encounters over the phone with one fraudster pretending to be a Microsoft security representative and a second one a bank cyber fraud division employee. And that led to her face-to-face meeting with a courier pretending to be an IRS agent, to whom she turned over cash and gold worth $360,000 in her mistaken belief it would be protected, prosecutors say.
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This is the correct Microsoft contact information. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/
July 15, 2026
About 1AM
Three suspicious teens with hoodies and a mask are walking down the street, looking at cars as they’re passing by on Campbell and Tudor.
Make sure your car doors are always locked. Garage door, too.
If you happen to see this occurring, ALWAYS call 911 so Cheektowaga Police can catch them in the act.
July 9, 2026
Cheektowaga Police remind residents of New York's e-bike and e-scooter laws
July 9, 2026
July 3, 2026
Operation Key Fob nets arrests, stolen vehicles recovered
Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announces the successful completion of the first Operation Key Fob detail, a collective effort by Erie County’s law enforcement agencies to recover stolen vehicles and effectuate arrests.
On the evening of July 1, law enforcement recovered four stolen vehicles and removed an additional four from the stolen vehicle database. Two subjects were arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.
Deputies and dispatchers from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Buffalo Police Department, Amherst Police Department, Town of Hamburg Police Department, and Cheektowaga Police Department participated in the effort.
A total of 734 vehicles have been reported stolen across Erie County this year. Operation Key Fob utilizes air and ground units in conjunction with intelligence resources to locate these vehicles so that they can be returned to their owners. Of the stolen vehicles across the county that were still outstanding, 25% were recovered by law enforcement on Wednesday.
“A vehicle is the most important asset in many peoples’ lives,” said Garcia. “We use it to get to work, take our children to school, and pick up groceries from the store. Without it, many people feel lost. That’s why when a vehicle is stolen, it can have devastating effects on the victim. It’s more than a simple inconvenience. Last night’s deployment is only the start. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will be out in the community all summer long trying to make these victims whole.
“In the meantime, residents of Erie County should remember that they have the power to prevent car theft. Remove valuable items from your vehicle, lock it up, and bring your keys inside the house. Every time,” said Garcia.
June 28, 2026
June 23, 2026
June 10, 2026
Voicemail turned to text on cell phone
(If there is a tax issue, the IRS will mail you a letter. NO phone calls. NO emails)
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18886867096 Deposited a new message:
"Hi, this is Lisa calling from American Tax Professionals. Today is the 10th of June. I'm calling to follow up on missed tax filings or back taxes for the account linked to xxx-xxx-xxxx. Programs are still available to bring filings current, waive penalties, and get relief or resolution from back taxes. These programs are only available during specific eligibility windows. Because these options are not guaranteed and may expire, we recommend speaking with us today. Please note this may be our only outreach regarding this matter. Please call us back today at 844-472-5420. Again, 844-472-5420. If you've already resolved this issue, you may disregard this message or call back using the number on your caller ID to opt out. Thank you."
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You can report a scam call like this to the IRS. Go to IRS.gov for contact number.
June 9, 2026
Special Visitors In the Neighborhood
May 26, 2026
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Police Department is asking for the public's help after a 15-year-old girl was reported missing.
According to police, Libya Abdella was last seen leaving the Kensington/Winspear area wearing all black and carrying a black backpack with a Jordan logo.
She is described as standing at around 5'4", 135 pounds, with light brown skin, black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone that has information on her location is urged to call 911 immediately.
May 22, 2026
Text Message On Cell Phone
"Hi, this is Amy with United Tax Consultants. It's Friday the 22nd. I'm reaching out to follow up on missed filings or outstanding tax balances for 716 xxx xxxx. Our goal is to get you placed in a program that can offer immediate relief and in many cases, complete resolution. We will bring filings current, get penalty relief, and get you qualified for a relief program. Because eligibility can change, we recommend you call us today so you don't miss the opportunity. Please be aware this may be our only attempt to reach you regarding this notice. You can reach us today at 888-481-8671. Again, 888-481-8671. If this has already been addressed, you may disregard this message or call back the number on your caller ID to opt out. Thank you."
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1. The IRS sends anything related to taxes via mail.
2. If you get a notice, do NOT call the number in the letter (could be a scam, too).
3. Go to IRS.gov for the correct contact information.
May 3, 2026
An old porch pirate in Bailey Kensington area
Recognize him? Call 911 and help solve this crime.
May 2, 2026
Teens Checking For Unlocked Cars
2 teens caught on camera at about 11:00pm Saturday night on Cedar Road going up and down driveways checking for unlocked cars.
They were both wearing masks, so no good pictures on this camera to help identify them.
If your cameras captured any better pictures, call Cheektowaga Police at 911.
Keep your cars doors locked anytime your vehicle is in the driveway. Shut and lock your house and garage doors whenever you are in your back yards. Potential thieves will walk the streets looking for opportunities to run up your driveway and steal things while you are not able to see them.
Buffalo suburb draws national attention
Cheektowaga gains national attention after being ranked a top Northeast place to live, praised for its affordability and charm.
The Town of Cheektowaga is having a moment in the national and international spotlight.
Travel + Leisure magazine featured the Buffalo suburb in an article recently, after a Livability ranking named Cheektowaga as one of the top places to live in the Northeast.
Cheektowaga was ranked #6 on their list. Rochester was ranked 19, Buffalo 21, and Syracuse 22. The top city in the Northeast according to the Livability ranking? Clifton, New Jersey.
"Cheektowaga is built on hardworking, blue-collar roots and offers a classically friendly suburb with affordable homes that make the sweet life accessible to most," Livability said about Cheektowaga.
The magazine said Cheektowaga is getting attention for offering easy travel with Buffalo Niagara International Airport nearby, while still being just minutes from downtown Buffalo. At the same time, its competitive housing market and relatively affordable home prices are drawing buyers. Add in an active community with parks, programs, and local events, and more people are starting to take notice.
The article write-up was the topic of conversation when New York Governor Kathy Hochul came to town on Wednesday for a press conference on gun safety. The governor mentioned how special Cheektowaga was to her.
"I have to say a couple of things about Cheektowaga. It's the home of my husband. That was me decades ago, sitting there in Town Park watching him play softball, hoping he'd pay attention to me," the governor reminisced. "I finally caught his eye, and we went out for a couple of drinks, you know, the bars in Cheektowaga. They're always fun. And we fell in love, fell in love a long time ago, and we've rekindled that for now, 42 years. And so, I, I thank, I thank Cheektowaga for giving me the best part of my life."
Security Camera
If you would like to install a security camera on the outside of your house, there are several available on the market that are very easy to do yourself.
The one pictured is the basic RING battery powered model available online at Ring.com, Home Depot, Lowes and other stores.
You will need to have Wi-Fi in your house. Because our houses are brick, you will need to install it close to a window so the signal can reach the camera. Wi-Fi will not penetrate brick.
The only tool your will need is a masonry drill bit and mortar anchors (you can get these at Hector’s Hardware on Harlem Road or any hardware store). Everything else is included in the camera package.
You can also purchase a lawn sign to let everyone know you have video surveillance of your home. Great deterrent against crime!
As part of the setup, you will download an app to your smartphone to view the video and sign up for the recording feature on the secure Ring server. It saves the video and audio. Cost for the one camera recording feature is $3 to $5 per month.
Your house is now protected, and you can, if you give permission, share any recorded photo evidence with the Cheektowaga Police Department.
One more way we are the eyes and ears of our town’s community policing program.