VERGENNES — Vergennes police on April 11 reported  that a Green Street resident had allegedly been defrauded of $1,500 by an emailer posing as the resident’s sister.

Police said the emailer claiming to be the sister requested $1,500 in Apple gift cards, and on April 11 the resident reported they’d been used — but not by her relative.

Police said there’s little that can be done once such fraud has occurred and strongly recommended anyone who receives an online or phone solicitation for money or something of financial value makes sure they know who they are dealing with before sending anything.

In other action between April 11 and 17, Vergennes police conducted nine traffic stops; nine patrols, six on foot and three in cruisers; two VIN inspections; a property watch; and two pre-employment fingerprinting screenings, and also:

On April 11:

• Took a report for insurance purposes from a resident whose car had been damaged while parked in the city.
• Issued a no-trespass order to a city woman’s ex-boyfriend relating to a child custody dispute.
• Accepted for destruction a pillbox containing drug paraphernalia found in a parking lot off Main Street.
• Looked into a report of a woman driving an RV that was blocking a gas pump at the Main Street Maplefields and who was said to be abusive to customers and employees. Police said she left, but they found her at the Agency of Transportation Park and Ride lot and learned she was under mental duress, but safe to continue on her way.
• Took a report that a teenage girl had not returned to her city home and, because of a prior involvement, also informed the Department for Children and Families she was missing. Police said she came home later in the evening.

On April 12, dealt with a one-car accident in the Shaw’s Supermarket parking lot, a one-vehicle accident on North Main Street, and a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Main Street and Monkton Road.

On April 13:

• Heard from a driver that the underside of her vehicle had been damaged when she struck a guinea hen on Comfort Hill.
• Checked on the welfare of a Main Street resident on behalf of a worried family member and found no problem.

On April 14, responded to a report of a loose horse on West Main Street.

On April 15, searched the areas around Vergennes Union High and Elementary schools and found all safe and sound after a VUHS employee reported hearing a possible gunshot. Police believe a tractor in the VUHS parking lot backfired.

On April 16, responded to a Short Street home because a man said he wanted his ex-girlfriend removed after she had overstayed her welcome after about three months. Police discovered she was having a medical emergency, and the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad took her to Porter Hospital.

On April 17, helped Vermont State Police at the city station by evaluating a suspect for driving under the influence of drugs.