A UPS driver helped thwart an elaborate stolen identity and fraudulent credit card scheme that could have affected hundreds of people in our area, according to police. 

The ordeal began Friday afternoon when the UPS driver knocked on James Guerin's door in Evesham Township, New Jersey.

"When the UPS driver came up he was somewhat shaken," Guerin said.

Guerin told NBC10 the driver gave him a fully approved American Express credit card in his name that he never applied for. The driver also told him he thought he was being followed by a man in a white Land Rover. The two men then called police with the driver claiming he had also been delivering an "abnormal amount" of American Express cards.

Officers responded to the area of Goldenrod Lane and approached the suspect, later identified as 40-year-old Priamo Raphael Lopez-Toro of Paterson, New Jersey. Toro allegedly gave conflicting stories regarding what he was doing in the area and why he was following the UPS truck.

After searching the vehicle, officers say they found stolen UPS packages containing American Express Cards and a sheet containing UPS tracking numbers.

An investigation revealed Toro was using residents’ identities to order American Express Cards, and then following the UPS truck and picking up the packages after they were dropped off.

Evesham Police Lieutenant Joe Friel says Toro has intercepted $80,000 in fraudulent credit and gift cards. Guerin told NBC10 he believes Toro called him after his arrest.

"He asked for Elinor and I said there's no Elinor and I didn't order anything and I hung up the phone," Guerin said. "That was the suspect." 

Police continue to investigate how Toro received the victims' information and say more victims could be out there.

Toro is charged with third degree credit card theft and lodged in the Burlington County jail in default of $10,000 bail as the investigation continues. If you believe you are a victim, please call Evesham Township Police at 856-985-4347.

A 16-week old puppy is fighting for her life after she was found abandoned in a duffel bag in the scorching heat.

Delaware County SPCA officials say the puppy, who they named Duffy, was found inside a duffel bag in Chester and was rushed into their care. She currently has a 105-degree temperature and is being treated for heat stroke and parvovirus.

The dog is in critical condition and is being monitored around the clock.

If you would like to donate to Duffy’s emergency care, CLICK HERE and select “George & Friends Fund” from the drop-down menu.
 

If you’re not excited yet for the upcoming Philadelphia Eagles season, the team’s new video may do the trick.

The Birds debuted their official hype video for the 2015 season Wednesday. Former Eagle Brian Dawkins provides the narration in the two minute clip, shouting words of inspiration for Eagles players and fans alike.

“It's not gonna be convenient,” Dawkins says. “Cause you know that 'OK' is not OK. And 'good enough,' doggonit, ISN'T good enough. 'Good' is a four letter word when you're reaching for more, when you're working for greatness, working for that cat next to you, working for all those around you, and working to make sure that when you look in the mirror, you are PROUD of who is staring back at you. And right now, RIGHT NOW, it's TIME to work!"

The Eagles season begins with a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on September 14.
 

A would-be victim turned the tables on an armed robber in Chester, shooting and killing him, police said.

The unidentified man was getting out of his vehicle on the 500 block of West Seventh Street around 1 a.m. Wednesday when he was approached by two robbers, police said. When one of the robbers pulled out a gun and fired two shots, the man pulled out his own weapon and returned fire, according to investigators.

“It was loud and it sounded like it was real close,” said Kyle Roane, a neighbor of the victim who heard the gunshots.

One of the robbers was struck by the gunfire while another fled the scene. The first robber, who police have not yet identified, died from his injuries.

Police questioned the victim, who they say has a license to carry. He has not been charged with any crime. Neighbors say the man did what was necessary to protect himself.

“You never know who you’re going to run up on,” said Ryan Smith, another neighbor. “This time they ran up on the right one.”

Police continue to search for the second robber but have not yet released a detailed description of him.

Two big rigs – one carrying food, the other furniture – collided along a busy South Jersey road early Thursday leaving the roadway closed for more than an hour.

The wreck happened around 3:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of U.S. Route 130 above Groveville Road in Bordentown Township, said Burlington County dispatchers.

The RC Transport LLC truck cab was left mangled. The driver of the other tractor-trailer -- a Cadence Premier Cargo truck -- said he was rear-ended, which caused minor damage to his trailer.

The driver of the truck with serious damage was taken to the hospital for treatment, said dispatchers.

It took about two hours for crews to reopen one lane of traffic.

Port Authority police arrested a man at Newark Airport after he was caught boarding an empty plane without authorization.

Police say security officers spotted him on the empty plane inside the United Airlines terminal, near Gate 74, at about 8:30 p.m. The man had already gone through the proper security screening.

He was placed under arrest and is expected to be charged with trespassing, Port Authority says. 

An armed carjacker led police on a wild chase from a Target store in New Jersey Wednesday, taking out several cars along the way, including one occupied by the county prosecutor, authorities say. 

The crime spree started shortly after 1 p.m. at the Target parking lot on Route 22 in Union, according to police. The man approached a woman who had just locked her car and told her his leg was hurt and he needed help. When the woman looked down, he pulled out a gun, put the barrel to her head and demanded the car keys, police said.

The woman threw her keys at him and ran away. She was not hurt, police said. 

The carjacker then got into the 2010 Lincoln MKZ and drove off on Route 22, traveling erratically. A police officer monitoring traffic nearby saw the car and pulled out to stop it, but before he could get to the car, it crashed into a pickup truck.

Even so, the Lincoln MKZ kept going and collided into yet another car near Michigan Avenue, police said. That car and the Lincoln both spun out, and the stolen Lincoln crashed into a Jeep parked in the lot of a Halloween store on Route 22, then went through the wall of the store, sparking a fire. 

Union County Prosecutor Grace Park was inside the Jeep, police said. She was shaken up but not hurt. 

The carjacker inside the Lincoln got out of the car and taken into custody by police officers. A handgun was found underneath one of the cars that crashed at the Halloween store. Firefighters put out the fire from the car. 

Police also connected the suspect, 35-year-old Quadree Frazier, to an assault at the Clinton Manor Motor Lodge that took place just before the carjacking at Target. There, Frazier argued with two women, shot one of them in the neck, and on his way out, hit the hotel manager in the head with a gun several times, leaving behind a deep cut that required stitches.

Frazier, who has resided in Newark and East Orange, was taken to University Hospital with broken vertebrae in his neck and back, damaged ribs and a collapsed lung. He remains under police watch, and is expected to be charged with carjacking, weapons offenses and attempted murder. 

People crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge during the weekend of Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia will be able to bring their bikes, but they'll have to walk them across.

The Delaware River Port Authority said Wednesday that the list of prohibited items on the bridge and high-speed train line is the same as the Secret Service's list of prohibited items for the papal visit sites, except bikes will be allowed on the bridge as long as people don't ride them.

“We feel that it is prudent and appropriate to apply the same standards for prohibited items as the Secret Service,” said DRPA CEO John Hanson.

Banned items include selfie sticks, hard-sided coolers, and anything made of glass.

“We’ve opted to deviate slightly and make the exception for bikes on the bridge to accommodate bicycle riders who wish to participate in events or patronize businesses outside of the Ben Franklin Parkway and Independence Hall secured perimeters," said Hanson.

The bridge will close to vehicle traffic on Friday, Sept. 25, at 10 p.m. It will reopen to vehicles around noon the following Monday.

PATCO trains will provide service between Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway stations to the Center City station in Philly. Bikes won't be allowed on trains and people with children must collapse strollers to ensure there is room on trains, said the DRPA.

Gender-neutral restrooms could be coming to a bar, restaurant or other public place near you.

Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla will introduce a bill Thursday that drops "Men" or "Women" from single-occupant restrooms, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The proposal has the support of city LGBT leaders including Mayor Nutter's Office of LGBT Affairs, which helped draft the bill.

"Using a public bathroom can be a highly stressful, rising to even dangerous experience for certain individuals," LGBT Affairs director Helen "Nellie" Fitzpatrick told the paper. "It basically comes down to people policing other people's gender."

If council passed the legislation, which doesn’t impact multiple stall restrooms, then businesses would have 90 days to comply.

The taxicab company whose driver struck and killed a man and woman, after they attended the Made in America Festival, has been under investigation various complaints.

The revelations came after the Rosemont Taxicab Company taxi struck and killed Amanda Digirolomo 25, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and Bryan Botti, 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, along N Broad Street around 4:30 a.m. Monday. The pair was in Philly attending the MIA Festival that had wrapped up late Sunday.

They were crossing Broad Street on red just north of the crosswalk at Arch Street when they were struck, said police. The Rosemont taxi with a shattered windshield and damage to its grill stopped following the crash.

The Pennsylvania Utility Commission, the governing body overseeing most taxis in the state, said that it reviewed 22 formal complaints against Rosemont Taxicab since 2010 including several cleanliness infractions, fare infractions and at least one incident where they paid a fine for a driver not having a valid license.

Eight of the actions remained active against the Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania -based company and one was reopened as of Thursday morning, according to the PUC.

When reached by phone, Rosemont Taxi had "no comment."

No citations were issued after Monday's crash. The 41-year-old cabdriver in the wreck -- who police have not charged nor identified -- was taken to Hahnemann Hospital after complaining of chest pain, police said. His company said he has no history of driving problems.

Pope Francis' Understated Style

Esquire magazine picked Pope Francis as its Best Dressed Man of 2013 but the title didn’t go to him because of bold fashion choices. In fact, it’s the pared-down sartorial decisions that earned him the distinction. Francis ditched the ornate vestments and fancy jewelry of his predecessors for plain clothes. His humble fashion sense was on display minutes after his election as the next pope. Francis rejected a red cape with ermine trim presented to him by a monsignor and came out to greet the faithful at St. Peter’s Square wearing a simple white cassock.

Francis Passed on Papal Apartment

Pope Francis chose to live in a Vatican guesthouse — officially known as The Domus Sanctae Marthae — instead of a papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace. That made him the first pope in 110 years to live outside the papal apartments. He takes meals in the common dining room and celebrates a 7 a.m. Mass with Vatican employees in the main chapel of the residence.

Francis Prefers Open Popemobile

The pope eschews a bulletproof popemobile and has been using an opened vehicle with a shield in the front and above him to move through crowds. The first bulletproof popemobile was introduced following the attempted assassination of John Paul II in 1981 and was later used by Benedict XVI. But traveling in a bulletproof popemobile is like being confined to a “sardine can,” one that cuts him off from other people, Francis said in a 2014 interview with Vatican Radio. “It’s true that anything could happen,” he said, “but let’s face it, at my age, I don’t have much to lose.” One version of a popemobile he used in Naples was open on the sides, which allowed a local pizza maker to make a special delivery to Francis. Francis has used a number of different car brands as popemobiles during his trips: Mercedes, Toyota, Isuzu, Kia, Hyundai, Land Rover and Jeep, according to the Vatican. While in the U.S., he will use a Jeep Wrangler.

Francis Is Known for Saying and Doing Things No Other Pope Had Done Before

From divorced Catholics and abortion to climate change and gay marriage, Pope Francis has not shied away from tackling sensitive topics in the church and the society.

"His whole papacy should really be seen as refocusing the church,” according to Austen Ivereigh, a Pope Francis biographer. "He is willing to confront the things that get attached to religion: power, wealth, ego, status. Those things, which get in the way of the proclamation of the gospel, he is fearless in confronting.”

The People’s Pope

Francis was dubbed “The People’s Pope” by Time magazine for his preaching of humility and his defense of the poor. By choosing cardinals from some of the poorest nations and preaching against “selfishness and individualism” while visiting a slum in Brazil, he has stressed helping the poor as a core part of the church’s mission.

Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks’ famed puppy pool party returns to the boardwalk this Sunday, Sept. 13 in Wildwood, New Jersey.

Expect 250 canines at this year's "water bark" party, from 5 to 7 p.m. is at Morey's Pier's Raging Waters Water Park located off the Wildwood Boardwalk at Schellenger Avenue.

Pups will get to doggy paddle in River Adventure, romp in the fountain and fetch tennis balls in the activity pool.

Free dog treats and water bowls will be placed throughout Raging Waters during the event. When the fun is done each dog gets a Morey's Piers souvenir to take home.

All proceeds from this event benefit the New Jersey SPCA.

The Phillies announced Thursday that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is out at the team’s general manager effective immediately.

Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock will serve in an interim basis for the remainder of the season.

With his contract ending at the end of the season, the decision not to retain Amaro fell to incoming team president Andy MacPhail.

“It’s never an easy decision to make a change,” MacPhail said in a press release. “Ruben has had a direct impact on some of the best years in the team’s history. He helped to create some great memories for Phillies fans with his accomplishments, but in order to return to a top-contending club, we believe this is the right thing to do as we continue the rebuilding process.”

Amaro, 50, took over as the team’s general manager before the 2009 season and presided over the team during three post-season runs, a trip to the World Series and a franchise-record 102 wins season in 2011.

During this run Amaro made proactive moves to acquire Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence, Jonathan Papelbon, Raul Ibanez and Pedro Martinez. He also gave large contract extensions to Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Jamie Moyer and Carlos Ruiz and made moves to get rid of Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Utley and Hamels.

Amaro also fired manager Charlie Manuel during the 2013 season and replaced him with Hall-of-Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.

Critics of Amaro point out that he was slow to begin the rebuilding process, choosing instead to lean on aging veterans when the farm system needed a few more prospects. After the team won 102 games in 2011, the record has dropped significantly each year. After falling to 89 losses in 2013 and 2014, the Phillies have the worst record in baseball at 54-86 and have finally gone headlong into the long-awaited rebuilding process.

Amaro is a Philadelphian through and through. His father, Ruben Sr., played for the Phillies and Amaro was born and raised in Rhawnhurst in Northeast Philly. served as a batboy for the team in the early 1980s when his father was a coach on the team.

Amaro attended William Penn Charter where he played baseball and soccer and walked on as a baseball player at Stanford University where he was a member of the 1987 team that won the College World Series with future major league All-Star, Jack McDowell.

He played in the majors for the Angels, Phillies and Indians and was with both the Phillies and Indians when the clubs went to the World Series in 1993 and 1995. When his playing career ended after the 1998 season, general manager Ed Wade hired Amaro as an assistant, a post he held until 2009 when he took over from Pat Gillick as the general manager.

“The Phillies ownership fully supports Andy’s decision not to extend Ruben Amaro’s contract,” ownership partner John Middleton said in a release. “As a group, we have tremendous respect for Ruben, who has been a significant contributor to this organization. This decision is about taking the club in a new direction and that will be facilitated by new leadership.”

The team says it will begin the search to replace Amaro immediately.