The NYPD is partnering with the Seal Beach Police Department in a joint investigation to track down a man who is suspected of scamming an 86-year-old widow in Seal Beach, California out of $30,000.

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  Man suspected of scamming grandmother out of $30,000

On February 18, 2013, the suspect called the elderly victim claiming to be her grandson “Randy.” The caller told her that he was in a Mexican jail and needed money in order to be released.

Cops said the caller, pretending to be the victim’s grandson, asked her to send $15,000 in cash to an address in New York City, addressed to Matthew Jones.

The victim sent the cash the next day. The following day, she received another call from the same person asking for an additional $15,000 addressed to Matthew Jones at the same address. The grandmother, afraid for her grandson’s safety, sent the money that day, cops said.

The address was later identified as a FedEx business office in a Sheraton Hotel downtown. Cops say the suspect used a fake Canadian driver’s license to pick up the packages from the FedEx. 

The suspect, as seen in photos provided by the Seal Beach Police Department and the NYPD, is described as a white man, medium to heavy build, who looks to be in his mid to late 30s. In surveillance photos and the photo on the fake driver’s license, he appears to have a very distinctive goatee braided into two plaits, known as a “sparrow” style beard, cops said.

Anyone with information about the man pictured in the surveillance photos from the FedEx is asked to call or e-mail Seal Beach Police Detective Mary Martinez at 562-799-4100 extension 1110 or mmartinez@sealbeachca.gov.

Follow Danielle Tcholakian on Twitter @danielleiat

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The two arch rivals (right? apparently?) were facing off in a Pool D Round Robin game when Mexico took exception to a ninth-inning bunt hit by Canada’s Chris Robinson as our neighbors to the north led 9-3. Many people have blamed the bunt on the WBC’s run-differential tiebreaker. In other words, the tournament favors scoring as many runs as possible, even leading by six runs in the ninth.

Mexico’s pitcher Arnold Leon, with prodding from third baseman Luis Cruz, drilled the next batter after throwing two consecutive inside pitches. Rene Tosoni, that hitter, took exception to Leon and the whole brouhaha began.

The benches cleared, renowned hot head Alfredo Aceves got snap mared to the ground by Nyjer Morgan-clone Tyson Gillies and legit punches were thrown. This was not your typical “stand around and trash talk” baseball fight. It got very ugly.

Canada coach Larry Walker said of Aceves, “I had a hold of him and I thought I saw Satan in his eyes.”

Even as the players started to leave the field the Canadian players started to taunt the heavily pro-Mexico crowd. Some fan responded by chucking a bottle at the players, striking Canadian pitching coach Denis Boucher. Canada shortstop Cale Iorg pulled a Milton Bradley and whipped it back into the crowd.

Oh, and the organizers decided no one should be suspended. No big deal, boys. Carry on.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports. Good fight, though it’s still no Nolan Ryan vs. Robin Ventura.

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Peller Estates

The sprawling family-run property is lavishly decorated in rustic yellows and gives you the feel that you’ve stepped into an old Tuscan mansion. In 2006, London’s International Wine & Spirit Competition named Peller the best Canadian winery of the year. During the Icewine festival in January, the site becomes home to flocks of visitors toasting marshmallows over fire pits and snacking on poutine, a decadent Quebec dish of French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. There’s also an elegant on-site restaurant, to which Zagat gave an Extraordinary rating.

Coyote’s Run Estate Winery

Coyote’s Run is situated on 58 acres of two types of soil — one red, one black — which means that two pinots, chards or other varietal can taste remarkably different. Generally speaking, grapes grown in red soil have a fruitier taste, whereas the black soil produces wines that are more earthy. Because the property sits in a slightly warmer part of the region, the grapes here are often harvested one or two weeks earlier than those at other area wineries.
Reif Estate

“A winemaker is a caretaker,” head winemaker Klaus Reif says. He produces 16 varietals and approximately 30 products, and the winery has won about 400 awards. Reif grows its own grapes and ages its wines in Hungarian, French and Kentucky oak barrels before they make their debut in a homey wooden showroom. Ask Archie the sommelier for a tasting — he’s a pro at helping beginners learn and discern.

Stratus Vineyards

This isn’t your parents’ winery: The high ceilings, monochromatic palette and sleek finishes make Stratus a must-visit. The LEED-certified winery (the first in the world) is on 62 acres, and the mature vineyard grows 18 varieties of grapes, all of which are picked and sorted by hand. You’ll find your cab sauvs, your merlots and your chardonnays, but the winery also specializes in assemblage — the combination of several grape varieties to make a new wine.

Where to stay

The quaint Harbor House Hotel is a 31-room boutique property in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was recently named a top hotel in Canada by TripAdvisor.

Come back for Icewine
Niagara heats up in January, when the annual Icewine festival brings locals and visitors together to celebrate the deliciously sweet and easily adaptable unofficial drink of the region. During the fest, wineries and restaurants do tastings and special pours, and the city comes together for a food-pairing festival and a cocktail competition. When the weather gets warmer, visit for the Shaw Festival, devoted to playwright George Bernard Shaw, and Canada Day celebrations (July 1). Visit www.niagaraonthelake.com to learn more.

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