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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Bucks Commissioners Adopt PA’s First County-Level Used Car ‘Lemon Law’

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Used car buyers in Bucks County will enjoy an added layer of protection starting next year under the county’s new “Lemon Law” ordinance – the first of its kind in Pennsylvania.

The Bucks County Commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve Ordinance #168, which will require car dealers to provide warranties on certain used car purchases, ensure the used cars they sell can pass inspection, and tell the truth about their used cars.

State law provides similar protections for buyers who purchase new cars, but does not extend them to used cars. The ordinance takes effect in January.

“Most of our auto dealers by far are honest and do a good job,” said Michael Bannon, director of the county Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures Department. “But I’m afraid that there’s a few businesses out there that have given the industry a black eye, and that’s what we’re looking to address right now.”

Warranty requirements vary based on a vehicle’s mileage, with some vehicles, including older cars and those with more than 100,000 miles, exempted from the ordinance.

“This first-of-its-kind county ordinance is the latest example of our administration’s investment in Consumer Protection as well as our vision of a Law Department that is proactive in addressing the needs of Bucks Countians,” said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie.

The ordinance will also expand local enforcement capabilities, allowing the Law Department and Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures to crack down on dealers who make misrepresentations about, or fail to disclose issues with, the used cars they sell.

New Jersey’s “Lemon Law” contains similar provisions, but they only apply within the Garden State. Ordinance #168 closes that loophole in Bucks County.

County Solicitor Joe Khan noted that in the six months between the ordinance’s passage and implementation, Consumer Protection plans to conduct outreach to help local car dealers understand their obligations under Ordinance #168.

“We have found that the model of giving people time and notice works out really well, because our goal here really is to encourage everyone to do the right thing and follow best practices,” Khan said.

The ordinance proposal garnered words of support from both the state Office of Attorney General, as well as Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub.

“To me this makes a lot of sense,” Weintraub said during Wednesday’s Commissioners’ Meeting. “This really strengthens the safety net for the consumer.”

“We applaud Bucks County for increasing its consumer protection efforts in this arena,” added Sarah A. E. Frasch, director of the OAG’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement of support. “And we look forward to continuing to work with the Bucks County Law Department and Department of Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures as we protect Pennsylvania consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices,”

To learn more about Ordinance #168, watch the livestreamed presentation in support of the measure.

To read the ordinance click here

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    Human Interest - Bensalem Township

    Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believed to be in Lower Bucks Area

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    Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown  Borough Police  are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing  17 year-old .

    Ryan  Jaatar Age 17 is  5ft 8in Brown eyes and has not been seen since January 3, 2026, police say.

    Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence in Plumstead Township.

    Jaatar’s, according to investigators,  is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

    Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.

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    Cops

    No Selling Coquito for You LCB Authorities Say to Croydon Deli Owner, Employee

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    The owner and an employee of the Croydon based State Road Deli Market have been charged for allegedly selling Coquito to customers.

    According to state authorities, on Dec 23, 2025, a web complaint was received reporting the State Road Deli Market, located at 2518 State Road, Croydon posted on their Meta Page that they were taking orders for Coquito -coconut-based rum alcoholic beverage- for the holidays.

    Investigators from the the state’s Liquor Control Board on Dec. 29, 2025, contacted the tipster who reported that they saw multiple Facebook posts from the premises advertising sales of homemade Coquito. Continued on this date, an open source query yielded the premises’ Facebook page displaying a post with a picture of a bottle of Coquito, and stated that they were taking orders with prices of  $8.00 for virgin (non-alcoholic) and $12.00 with alcohol.

    (The ” Coquito”  posts have since been removed – a review of the deli’s Meta page.)

    Investigators on Dec. 30, 2025, reviewed state data that showed the premises was not licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). Additionally, PLCB certification confirmed that the premises did not have any authority to sell alcoholic beverages within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (CWOPA).

    On Jan. 3, 2026, at 3:01 p.m., Liquor Control Officers Messinger and Marrow entered the premises where  Ofc. Marrow  removed one (1) bottle of Coquito from the cooler and placed it on the counter. The clerk (later Identified as Effie Mae McMahon) confirmed that the bottle contained alcohol as written on the label. Marrow handed McMahon $13.00, and was provided ¢.28 in change, and the sale was rung up.

    The bottle was secured, and later placed into evidence with a sample sent for laboratory testing. Continued on this date, a search of PA State Department records identified that the premises’ owner was Wilfredo M. Sanchez. A further open source search identified Wilfredo Miguel Sanchez-Caparachin and McMahon as workers at the premises. A further query of Bureau databases disclosed that neither Sanchez-Caparachin nor McMahon are registered and/or authorized by the PLCB to sell liquor within the CWOPA, officers wrote in court papers.

    On  Jan. 14, 2026, at 7:15 a.m., Investigators returned to the  deli where they  noticed four bottles of Coquito in the cooler. A bottle was placed on the counter, purchased for $13.00. The bottle was secured, and later placed into evidence with a sample sent for laboratory testing, investigators said

    On Jan. 21, 2026, at 7:01 a.m.,  investigators Messinger and Marrow entered the premises where Marrow noticed two bottles and purchased one (1) bottle of Coquito, court papers show.

    The investigators reentered the deli, identified themselves to McMahon. McMahon was identified after presenting their Pennsylvania driver’s license as being (20) years old.

    Authorities seized the remaining bottle of Coquito from the cooler and both bottles were secured, and later placed into evidence with samples sent for laboratory testing. Ofc. Marrow then recovered the currency used  to make the purchase from the register. Marrow requested that McMahon contact Sanchez-Caparachin to respond to the premises.

    While awaiting Sanchez-Caparachin, McMahon was given Non-Custodial rights and agreed to answer questions, court papers show.

    McMahon, according to the probable cause, admitted that they did possess and sell Coquito a rum based alcoholic beverage to Marrow on the above listed dates. McMahon further stated that they have been employed at the premises for over five (5) years and continued working under the new owner Sanchez-Caparachin since May 2023, McMahon also admitted that they assisted Sanchez-Caparachin in making the Coquito under Sanchez-Caparachin’s direction.

    At 7:50 a.m. Sanchez-Caparachin arrived at the premises and was identified after presenting their Connecticut driver’s license. Sanchez-Caparachin was given Non-Custodial rights, and agreed to answer questions. Sanchez=Caparachin stated that they are the registered owner of the premises since May 2023 and are the sole operator with their only employee being McMahon. Sanchez-Caparachin admitted to purchasing Bacardi Coconut Rum Liquor at various liquor stores in New Jersey and transported
    the rum into Pennsylvania in order to make Coquito and sell it at the premises. Sanchez-Caparachin further admitted that since May 2023 they have made and sold about fifty (50) bottles of Coquito and that they do not have a valid license to sell liquor within the state of Pennsylvania.

    On Feb.9, 2026, PLCB certification confirmed that McMahon, Sanchez-Caparachin and/or the premises did not have authority to sell or dispense alcoholic beverages in the CWOPA from Jan. 1, 2025 through Jan. 21, 2026, according to court records.

    On Feb. 21, 2026 analysis from the Pennsylvania State Police Laboratory confirmed that all samples submitted contained alcohol, the criminal complaint says.

    Sanchez-Caparachin has been charged with selling alcohol illegally, selling of alcohol by a minor, and related offenses.

    McMahon has been charged with selling alcohol illegally and a related offense.

    Both were charged by mail summons and are scheduled to appear for hearings on April. Neither has a attorney of record listed as of publication time.

     

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    Cops, Courts & Fire -Newtown Township

    Newtown Twp. Police Reports: “Romance Scam” Investigation Launched, Identity Theft Reported and More!

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    Newtoown Police

    Newtown Township Police Reports – Feb 20 2026 – Feb 26 2026

    2/20/26
    At approximately 10:25 am a Newtown Township resident contacted police to report a scam attempt. She received an email from someone claiming to have access to her phone with evidence of her wrongdoings. They threatened to send that evidence to all of her friends unless she paid them in Bitcoin. The resident recognized it as a scam and did not fall victim.

    2/24/26
    Police were dispatched to a Newtown Township residence shortly before 2:00 pm for the report of a fraud-in-progress. The resident explained that his wife had gone to the bank to withdraw $15,000 in cash due to a message she received from someone claiming to be the FBI. Police confirmed that it was a scam and met with the wife at the bank to verify that her accounts were not jeopardized. No money was lost.

    Police were dispatched to a Newtown Township residence around 3:30 pm for the report of a romance scam, where the victim suffered significant financial loss. The investigation is ongoing.

    PSA: In romance scams, a criminal uses a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and steal from the victim.  Operating on dating apps, social media, or email, these scammers often claim to be overseas for work, such as in the military or construction, to avoid in-person meetings. Never send money, gift cards, or provide bank details to someone you have not met in person.

    At approximately 6:15 pm a Newtown Township resident responded to headquarters to report identity theft. Police documented the incident and provided the resident with steps to take to protect her identity from future incidents.

    2/25/26
    At approximately 11:00 am police were dispatched to Acme Market for the report of retail theft. The investigation is ongoing.

     

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