Okay. You know, lying to the police is a crime. Lying. You can't come in here and cash a fraud on a check. I know, but it's not me, actually. And then you admitted to it. They saying, "Hey, this person's selling me fake gold. Do you know if it's real or fake?" I don't know if it's real or fake. I just bought it from China. Oh. So, what they do, they pay cash for it. Yeah. And you'll see she puts up all the cash in three separate stacks. Basically, last last two weeks ago, the total was 3,600 bucks and you paid 1,900 bucks. This single mom tried to beat the system with a fake $3,390 check, but her plan fell apart when the cops arrived and caught her on the spot. And at that point, did you know the check was fake when he gave it to you before you walked into his bank? I figured. So, he wrote it for $3,390. On June 18th, 2024, officers responded to TD Bank for a suspected fraud. A man had tried to cash two fraudulent checks, but when deputies arrived, he fled. At the same time, a woman entered the bank, attempting to cash a check of her own. The police began questioning the woman about whether she knew the check was fraudulent. He's a friend of mine. I'm about to be evicted with my two kids and he told me he would help me with my rent and that basically I just have to go in cash this check and that would help me with my rent. How long you know for a couple months? Is your only job serving? I'm not getting enough. I'm working two days a week. You knew this was a fraudulent check? I just knew that they were writing me a check. That you knew it was fraudulent? I don't know. I don't know where they got it. You showed up here in scrubs with a stethoscope and your only job as a server. You knew what you were doing. No, I just did what they told me to do. Okay. All I did was get in with I was just expecting to He picked you up from work. My what? From my apartment. He picked you up from your apartment. Yes. And y'all drove all in the land. I just don't know. Well, I will tell you that this is the third check that has been cashed against this account today in his account in this account off of this account. That's why it it triggered teller to he hit so many other so he probably hit another TV bank he hit third TD bank. All right. It's not me. Am I going to be arrested? Most likely. You can't come in here and cash a fraudulent check. I know, but it's not me. And then you admitted to it. I mean, I'm just trying to tell the truth. That way I walk in and you walked in here and told me that you did work as a nurse for these people. You know that this is a fraudulent check. There has been a ring of these fraudulent checks going around of these savings bonds. Copy. Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't. Oh, no. You good. Um, so and we actually just got some the other day, so everyone knew the feel of the check, the writing on the check. So the teller told me right away. Um, did you go over here? Come look at those checks. That's when I called you. Mhm. We had him sit down. He went to go leave. He drove away with him standing out there. I guess he drove past him. Okay. And Then when I came back in, the teller called me up and asked me to come look at the check that she just had. And then she's saying that the person that dropped her off here left her. The same person. And what car was he driving? The Buick. It was the I think it was a Buick. That's what looked like. It was like a burnt orange kind of Corlet. Burnt orange car. Corvette. Was it like a SUV, sedan, or was it like a like a hatchback? SUV. Okay. Do you know like did it look newer or old? Huh? Sorry. She said SUV. Yeah, SUV. New or older? Newer or older? Probably more cuz the screen was all like touch screen inside. Okay. So, I never again or SUV. The phone giving you the information from the source is not going to help me at all. Like I'm still going to like I Hey, Cord might help you, but I can't harass it. Won't help me out. And she's confident in SUV. Call. No matter what, my boyfriend. No, not your boyfriend. So, no matter what, I'm getting arrested today. Most likely. Call him. Is she telling us who the person is that was? Yeah, it's it's a guy that she met a couple months ago and was giving her a ride. The woman called her boyfriend to inform him she was being arrested for the fraudulent check. In a panic, she then reached out to her grandmother, asking her to pick up the kids from school. So because you guys have me come in here and do this fraudulent, I'm going to jail. So you can't leave. I cannot leave. So who are you in the office with right now? The officer. So something you didn't have knowledge of happening because I put me in with a check for my name and told them this story they told me to tell them and now I'm being arrested. I can't just come I can't just come there myself. It doesn't matter. Yes, I need you to come. I don't know how I'm supposed to do it. I'm not even over. What am I supposed to do? Tell him you're going to jail if you don't show up cuz of his fragment check. I'm going either way. Yeah. Hope y'all can go. You want to go for all of it? No. Okay then. If you don't get come here, I'm going to jail for you. I'm coming back, bro. Ask him how far out he is. How far are you? I'm literally nowhere near that city right now. I got the out of All right. Well, how far? Everything you were saying wasn't I was trying to figure out if you really came or not. Let me know whether to stay or go. If you told me you were detained, I would have stayed and we would have just switched places. But you didn't tell me you were detained or arrested. So, I didn't do anything about that because you told me you weren't detained or arrested. If you told me you were detained or arrested, it would have made more sense. I have no knowledge of what's going on right now. This is all Tell them Tell them you're going to jail. So, you better come back. Well, I'm going to jail for you're a Ch. So, can you please come back? How far are you? How far are you? I don't have GPS right now. I just got out of there. So, how an estimate or something? [Applause] somebody to pick up her children. You got the um Miranda doctor. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Hey, Grandma. I'm being arrested right now. I need you to pick the boys up for me today. I'm being arrested. I need you to pick the boys up for me. Because I'm stupid. Because I was trying I'm trying I was trying to get the money to pay my rent and I went to the bank with the check that wasn't that wasn't good. I'm hungry. I didn't steal anybody's money. I was given a check by this guy that I know and it's not a real check. So, I'm being arrested for fraud for fraud. As the police read the woman's rights, she admitted to what she had done, explaining that she was just trying to pay rent for her children's sake. And I need you to get the boys today from school for me. Bye. All right. Can you look at me for a second? I'mma read you I'mma read you your rights. All right. Are you ready? All right. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer or have him or her present with you while you are being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer or will one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish. If you if you can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements, do you understand each of these rights has been read to you and are you still want to talk to us? Yes. I need I need confirmation. All right. So, walk me from the beginning. From when they picked you up all the way until now to how we get here. They picked me up and but when they picked you up. Okay. So, was this planned before they picked you up or they just said, "Hey, I'm outside." I mean, I knew they were coming to get me, but you didn't know what for? I knew that it had something to do with um going to the bank, but they just I don't know. I don't. So, you knew they were picking you up and you knew you guys were going to the bank. I didn't know that I was going to be calling you in trying to cash a check. Okay. But you knew they were picking you up and you knew you guys were coming to the bank. What else did they tell you before you got in the car? That's pretty much it. That they were picking you up so you can go to the bank and help out with your rent. Yeah. All right. And when did they make you put the uniform on? We were I live in Apaka. We were almost to the I4 to get off I4 in um Ultima um when they started talking about scrubs, going to the store and getting my scrubs, asking me what size I was. And I'm like, what are you talking about? Like I didn't know anything about that. And they were like um um that it just looks more official. And I'm like, what? Like what are you talking about? I was kind of just going with whatever they were telling me that they were doing. Okay. Um because I'm desperate. I need to keep on my kids head. All right. Um but yeah, we went we got the scrubs. Um he paid for them. Yeah, it's 15. Are you going to be here for a minute? I'm about to walk in now. All right, copy. Only reason I'm asking is um we got a hold of the uh guy driving the burnt orange vehicle. Um he wouldn't explain exactly where he was at, but he said he was going to come back. So just in case if he does, I was just trying to see if someone could be in the parking lot spot him. Okay. So Maris was a passenger and Maris friend was driving. Mhm. All right. And then what else happened when they get Okay. So they said, "We're going to buy the shrugs. It looks more official. We'll put them on." Yeah. And you put them on. I mean, they didn't put them on right away, but yeah. When we got to the bank. When you got here to the bank. So he pulled up like across the street and like a a plaza right there with like Little Caesars by Fairwind. Pulled up by a fair winds the land. Okay. And then um wrote the check and basically told me put those on. This is what you're doing and that's not at all what I left my like Okay. So he pulled in to the land plaza and that's the police highlighted the seriousness of the situation suggesting it could be part of a larger fraud operation. They urged the woman to be honest and she shared what she knew. Mhm. You knew this check was fake. I didn't know anything. You didn't know anything? No. I just knew that this was someone trying to help me get my rent paid so I'm not evicted with my children. And I'm at the point where I'll do almost anything to make sure that my kids don't feel that everything that I'm going through to keep the stuff going. So when he told you to get dressed in the shrubs and he written at that point I obviously figured what did he say to you when he wrote the check and gave it to you? He just said to go in and tell them this. This is what he wrote. This is what it is. What did he tell you to tell them? That I'm a living assistant that I take care of someone's mom or something and that which is not true obviously. No. No. You should be all right for right now. I'm not even entirely sure he's coming back. He didn't sound too convincing. All right. So, he told you to come in here and act like he was taking care of somebody uh taking care of a lip. Okay. And at that point, did you know the check was fake when he gave it to you before you walked into his bank? I figured. So, he wrote it for $3,390. And then obviously, did he have the scrubs or did you? He got me. I was in my clothes. He picked me up and I'm just riding with them thinking, I don't know. I'm just going with the flow. And then he said, you got to stop and get these scrubs. And I was like, what do we need to stop and get these scrubs for, right? And that was when he I mean, he didn't even fully explain it. He was on the he was had like two phones on the phone with different people. Like I was just sitting in the back just writing like whatever y'all tell me I need to do so I can pay my rent. I know Maris for a couple months, but the guy driving is Maris's friend. I don't know him. It's my first time seeing him today. I don't even remember his name. I got you a burnt orange SUV. Yeah. What about this white Mercedes? I don't know anything about me. Okay. But he did say to you on the phone that was the Kraken. Well, because Can I answer my demo? No. This is important. You're looking at felony charges right now. I'll be honest with you. Okay. It's called uttering a fourth document. Okay. So, this is probably more important than what grandma's got to say. I mean, I was just asking her to pick up my kids from school. So, that's pretty much Okay. Tell her to pick up your kids. Tell your kids. She would. I told her I was I was getting arrested. So, I mean, if Okay, then answer only because it has to do with your kids. Yeah. I was Hello. I got kids. So, can I see that? So, that's what I'm working on getting you a copy of the third check. Uh almost there's this $2,400. And then there's another check that was cashed. What TD Bank did he cash this one? I'm talking right now. So he cash a couple. He cashed like two before this at this bank. No, he cashed two at other banks in Atlanta or somewhere else. Others like I believe the other two were in Orlando. Okay. And that one has his name on it. This one has her name on it. So they hurry in here to act like are they the same same check numbers and all that? This is University Boulevard 133. Obviously you know that Orlando PD that has to go through them because that's their jurisdiction and all that. So um well I'm just more or less giving this to you as far as just to let you know that there was three checks that were Absolutely. Yeah. But for the for like reporting purposes and we can give you a case number and we can even fax this over there as far as like a a case linkage. um because obviously this is the same people so it's going to be a case linkage. It might even be a statewide prosecutor cuz it's multi. The woman explained her financial struggles hoping to justify her actions but it was too late. She realized her mistake and now she had to face the consequences of what she had done. I don't get any help and I've just been stuck for the last two months. I just paid May's rent. I was just about to be evicted in May. I just paid May's rent June 7th and I'm going to get I already got another eviction notice for June. So they got you on a month a month. That's what it seemed like. I I mean I have my lease or whatever but they give you 30 days from the day that it's late and then after the 30 days you have to pay it. Then they'll put in the not then they'll put in for the court to evict and then once you pay it they once you pay it'll go away and then you were late again for the month of June. So they put another 30-day. So, I have until July 7th. How much is your rent right now with the late fee? It's almost $2,000. How much is it before? 1750. 1750. Two bedroom, one bathroom, but like everything's included. So, my lights. Yeah. Do you uh you don't get help from the children's father? Are both of your kids from the same? They're both from the same guy. I don't get help from him. All right. your statement with everything that you told us. Okay. Um and then this is a secondary page for you to write on whenever you get to the end of here. And then you know mention where y'all went where the vehicle that you were in the fact that you saw that white Mercedes at the other. I didn't see the white Mercedes. I just saw the guy. I didn't know the car. So came in. So but you saw the guy. Okay. Yeah. Mention that in there. Um all of the everything that we've discussed today. Okay. It might be a lot. And if you might if you might if you need another one after that just let us know. We can get you another one. The local is not local. Just put my address. Yeah. What? Yeah. Your your local address. Connect them or do the two separate one case number. This is all one incident. Those are the original documents that they tried to pass. Um, can I get a copy before you take them? And may I get the two of you to put your information down here? I thank you. I apologize for that, but we have to do our own reports and we don't have to get the name for the other guy here. That's fine. Unknown. Unknown. Okay. Oh, his name is on that's his real account and everything. Oh, he has an account. Can I get all his information in? Oh, yeah. I I didn't know. I thought he put his fake. I thought he put like somebody else name. Yeah, that's what Fernandez was telling me outside. He was like, "Don't put 100% his real name." He Fernandez looked verified that it's actually him cuz it's the guy that obviously he saw. So, he verified it's him and it's the same name that's on the the bonds. Go ahead. I'm going to put We can get you more water at the police department. Okay. All right. I'm going to put the I'm going put them in front cuz we're going to be sitting in the car for a while. All right. Okay. And you're being cool with this. So, yeah, you have. I don't do this to most people. I'm just trying to be us. I'm I'm not lying about anything. I'm just trying to be us. And we understand and we and we appreciate it. You just got caught up in an unfortunate situation. Okay. That they left you on. I know. Just here. Turn your wrists to face kind of. There you go. There you go. All righty. We're going to walk you out and try to get you in there quickly so that way it's not embarrassing. Okay. You don't have anything in your pockets, right? No. Okay. We're going to have someone check whenever we get back to the police station, but we're The woman was charged with fraud by uttering a false check. On October 31st, 2024, an officer at a Walmart responded to reports of a possible scam at the electronics counter. $3,200, too. Yes. Car. Okay. So, how how are you going to put this together with her to us? A couple was identified as the perpetrators with the male acting as a distraction while the female carried out the scam. Here's what happened next. The police detained the woman outside and asked for her details, but she refused to provide her real identity. She claimed to be from New York, though her records didn't match. We're investigating a crime and we believe that you and your husband are your partner just committed. Okay. What's up? Yep. So, you're not free to go. Please, can I go to the toilet? Please, I beg you. No, you're stay No, you're staying right here. No, you come with me. No, you're staying right here. Please, I beg you. No, I wait on 354. Okay. You come with me cuz I don't You put me on um suspicious Cirs. I have one detained. I'm code for at the moment. You have your ID on you? You care if I open and get your ID? I give you my ID. I can get Okay. Is it in here? I give you the ID. Please, can you open my Just tell me where it is. I'll get it if you tell me where it is. There's one in my bag. Right here. This one? Yeah. No, this one. Back here? Yeah. This one. Is it in here? Okay. This the New York. New York. Georgia. New York. New York. Okay. Can I put this one back? 91 354 with a name out of New York. Is this real? Fine. Last of Vladimir, Victor, Lincoln, Adam, David, Ida, Mary, Ida, Robert, first of Jessica, John, Edward, Sam, Sam, Ida, Charles, Adam, D. Oh, here's a whole list of her. Loss prevention linked the woman to 45 prior thefts, but she continued to give fake information, leaving her true identity unconfirmed. Jessica. Jessica. Okay. You know, lying to the police is a crime. I'm not lying. Yes, you are lying because there's no record on that name. You are lying. No, I'm not lying. Yes, you're lying. You want to give me your real name or do you want to get charged with giving an officer fake identification information? This one is my name. It's not your name. It's my name. I swear it's my name. Do you have another uh ID in there? Okay. Um, can you work on building PC for the the money switch? Please go to the restroom. Please come with me. Nope. Please, I beg you. No. She needs to use the bathroom. She's not going. Please. Nope. She's not going. You can wet your pants. I don't care. Um, Denise, I'm swapping out with you. So, here's what's going to happen. You can either give me your correct name right now or I'm going to get you fingerprinted. I'm going to get you fingerprinted and then when your real name comes up, you're going to be charged with the crime for lying to the police. Okay. So, you have one more chance. Okay. No. All right. 9354. Can you send an ap? [Applause] Yeah, it's fake. It can just go in the garbage. It's fake. Yep. Fake. It's fake. Hey, John, if you have any um with the former incidents, if you have any like uh evidence there that this is an accomplice, then we can go that route also. Okay. I have something to show and we can add that. I have one from a couple months ago. Okay. Okay. All right. That's the guy that was 937 is what we're short right here. Cash long short. Okay. So, basically 3,200 probably. All right. Hey, John. So, like $3,200 short, too. Yes. Got her. Okay. So, how how are you going to put this together with her to? We're going to have to get the video of of her handing them cash. Who she handed it to? and he was he was there from part of the the beginning. Him and Cole, you might have to talk to all three of them because they were kind of all agree. She wanted so much stuff. There's still more stuff up there that didn't get on ground. So, Cole all together. I will get that and get it where I can build this cuz if we arrest her tonight, this is a felony charge. We have 72 hours for our detectives to be able to run this case. Okay. And and push the charges through. So it when she goes to jail, it starts the clock ticking. That's why it needs to be fairly solid when I leave here with her. Okay. I do everything I can. So yeah, go ahead. So I'm going to go get the rest of this stuff. So right now it looks like you stole $3,200, something like that. So um that's what we're working through. Okay. Just to update you on what we're looking at. So here's the detainy. The ID is fake. I can't even get a name on her yet, but they're coming. But I'm still working through PC with John. She was from New York. Yes. When did you come to Washington? Really? So, when did you get to Washington? Two, three days. Hm. Two, three days. Two to three days. How'd you get here? Car. Car. You drove from New York. Officers made efforts to collect the woman's details. Yet, she remained uncooperative. Then cops gathered witness testimonies revealing how the scam unfolded. What brings you to Washington State? Hm. [Music] So I think I'm sure he's already explained it to you. Um he's not pulling up anything on that driver's license. We're not getting that, you know, that return for your driver's license. It's not showing like it's a real license. It's real. It's real. cuz I'm also from New York and um I left New York I guess after that was issued. My driver's license from New York looked nothing like that. Hm. I have it made. Where'd you get it from? I make school right from in where did you get it from? Never told me about it. But I couldn't understand what she was saying at first. She talked so soft. Mhm. And I just asked her what happened and she said cuz he said that she never took the money back. Okay. She did though. Rosa said that she laid it all out. She said she thinks it was probably a,000 and it was Isaiah on the register. Rosa was sitting behind so she could see the whole thing and she saw she saw the the switch. So you might want to talk to Rosa maybe in like an audio interview. I will. I will. told her that she's as Isaiah told me twice that she never took the money back. She never took she what? Isaiah told me twice that she never took the money back. She did. Yeah. So, okay. So, I'm going to talk to you about the switch to just tell me what you saw um when they came from the beginning to the end. What you saw happen? It was just normal. And like it was kind of weird cuz she kept asking for like at first she started with watches and then she started like asking for like the GoPro like headphones and like all this stuff. Yeah. And then the husband was asking for like PS5 and like I think other stuff. Mhm. And so eventually when he was checking the lady out, she ended up not wanting some stuff and then when they were counting the money um she took it back and then that's when I saw her like slip her finger like the bills. Okay. And then um she kept like eyeing me cuz she saw me like standing behind right there and she kept eyeing me. That's why I kind of like looked suspicious. Okay. So, had she already paid for the items she had? How did how did that work before the switch? Before that um check out that you you saw um she had checked out that stuff before and that's when I went to go look for. Okay. I didn't see her take the money. I just saw her finger like divide because um Isaiah stood up in front of her. So, I didn't see her take stuff anything. I just s saw like it was weird that she Okay. So, as when Isaiah was between you and her, you thought I didn't. Yeah. Okay. Further investigation revealed that the woman tried to deceive the cashier into accepting the wrong amount of money. After reviewing video footage, the officer confirmed her involvement. What's going on, Jessica? I don't know. H I don't know. You don't know? H uh it takes it takes like 5 10 minutes. He has to like plug in. Okay. So Isaiah, he's actually took the money. Okay. And was behind him and she's the one that saw the switch. Mhm. So tell me what happened as far from your perspective. Uh I was walking to the bathroom and she asked she asked me where the You can talk louder. She asked me where the electronics was at. Yeah. I told her it was uh across. So, I went to the bathroom and I came back and she was still there. And then Cole was talking to her at first and then she asked me like if we had a tablet and some watches and stuff. So, I grabbed them and I had a tablet and what? Some watches and go and the GoPros. Okay. Apple watches. Yeah. Okay. And you grabbed those for her? How many? Two Apple watches, two tablets, and then it was like three pairs of headphones. Okay. You gave those to her. What happened? Uh, I set them down below the counter and then I rung them up and then she gave me the money or she counted the money uh 1,000 at first and I counted it back and I let it down on the table. Then she did it two more times for 3,000. And then she gave me another 300 after that. And I put them in the in the machine to check if they were real. And then uh I put the just put all of it in the tail. Okay. So she counted 3,000. Did you count 3,000 back to her? Yeah. Every single time. Yeah. And then she gave you 300 after that. What's that mean? For you mean you counted 3,000 1,000 three separate times? Yeah. Then she laid three moreund 300 more on that. Yeah. Okay. And you counted that back to her. So you stuck $3,300 in the till. Yeah. Okay. That's what I thought. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Um, at what point was all of that money laying out there and you not watching it when I was putting it in the machine to test it? Okay. How many did you test? Uh, like four or five. Okay. Or can you find on your camera that while he's testing it? Yeah. while you're testing the four or five. Um, you have your back to it. Nobody else is watching $3,000, correct? Okay. Um, when did she start dealing with Rosa, the other cashier? And when did the other items come into play? Um, I'm pretty I don't Your transaction had already taken place, right? Yeah, it wasn't Rosa, it was Cole. Cole. Okay. But Rosa was there and she saw kind of this going on when she was paying you. Is that when Rosa was there? Uh, she got there like at the end. Okay. I think they said that it had happened before. He's not even looking at this. He's not even looking. She took all of it back. Okay. There you go. All right. We got hard evidence. She took it back. Yep. Okay. So, you're under arrest for uh and it's going to be a felony charge for stealing around $3,000. We're going to get the exact number. You're under arrest. Okay. Stand up. I'm going to unhook her and take this off. All right, [Music] perfect. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right at this time to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. So, you're under arrest for $3,000, give or take. We'll get it the exact number figured out, but um that's what's going on. You understand your rights that I read to you? Yes or no? As you can see, the cops once again asked the woman for her real identity and location, but she claims she didn't scam anyone despite the mounting evidence against her. keeps trying to call her some coins. You You could actually go organize retail theft just based on what you got so far. I want to do that. Yeah. 100%. 98 56 360. Okay. Okay. Let me see that. Georgia. See, that's a different name. Yeah. Francancy Amira. This look like her. Francancy. Yeah. Let me take a look at you real quick. Look this way. I can't. Why? Cuz this way. Cuz of what? The lights will put me in ice. Definitely. Oh yeah. Wow. You got quite a repertoire of names here. What's your real name? Jessica. Last name. Where do you live at? New York. H New York. New York. So you just here for what? Vacation. Sorry. Yes. We're visiting. You got to speak up. I can't hear you. I'm coming visiting the Seattle. Visiting. Visiting. Visiting? Yes. It's quite a interesting scam you got there. I'm going to go get recorded statements. Scam. H. I'm not doing scam. Not doing a scam. No. No. Put $3,000 on the table and then take them all take them all away and then you take all the merchandise and pay for it. All the stuff. So, you only paid 300 bucks. The video shows that. I want to see the video. You'll get to see it in court. Okay. Really? I want to see the video. You're not going to see it tonight. Why? Because you're under arrest. We have no legal uh reason to let you have to take at the video. I'm not taking nothing for this Walmart. I pay all the money. You know that you know I want to see the video that video. You're still going to It doesn't matter cuz you're still going to get booked anyway. You'll have your chance to look at the video, but that'll be in court. Not here out in a police car. Why not? because I want to see how can I tell these people from Walmart because I stole the money. You you got a similar receipt for Fred Meyer in your purse for $3,000? Yes. So, this seems to be uh some kind of a pattern for you. I'm not doing nothing. So, you're saying that you didn't put $3,000 on the I on the table money and when the person turned around, you took all the money back except for 300 bucks. Money back and you took the merchandise as well. I'm not take the money back. The bonded in your purse. It's my money then. Hm. It's my money. Yeah. That money is going to be an evidence now. Okay. Yeah. I'm losing nothing. I pay all the money. No, that's not what the video is showing. And that's not what they're saying. The video. You're not going to see the video tonight. We have no idea who you really are. I want to call my solicitor. Yeah. What? I want to call my solicitors. Solicitor? Yeah. What does that mean? I want to call somebody. Oh, you you get a chance to call somebody, but it' be from the King County Jail. The other cops went to the shop to uncover how the woman might have pulled off the scam. After reviewing the footage again, they were shocked by what they saw. She goes with all the merchandise. She puts down $3,000 plus dollars. Clerk turns around, starts putting the bills in the fake checker. She grabs all the money, grabs the merchandise, and takes off. Stays there. So, she didn't actually They don't steal the merchandise, per se. what they do. You want to show the video? It's right there. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Let me see. So, what does she do exactly? When they're scanning all the items. Okay. So, what they do is they scan all the items. She just got hit like last week, was it? Or the week before. Same person. They're a group. There's 40 of them. Really? They're from Romania. This is what they do. And what they they scan all they they got her for laptops, but they scan all the these headphones are 430 bucks a piece. Oh jeez. These ones are 350. How did she get them out of the lock case? They just asking. Oh. So what they do, they pay cash for it. Yeah. And you'll see she puts up all the cash in three separate stacks, but they target new associates. Mhm. And young ones. kind of going up the mark. And then as the associates count the cash, they'll take it back and then they do a little dump and then they just hand it back to him and the cashier doesn't count it back. Basically last last two weeks ago total was 3,600 bucks and we paid 1,900 bucks. Oh. So they do pay cash, but it's not all the cash. All the cash. I see. That's why she puts it in different stacks. Yes. Ah, because he counted the first stack. Yeah. Okay. One. [Music] So, he's counting it and he's fake checking them. And he only checks three of them. Okay. And he assumes the rest are okay. Yes. Okay. So, he takes a second there. Ah. When did he put it in the register? That's what he should have done. Or at least put it out of a reach, right? With that dollar, he did well with the merchandise. He stuck it down there. Yeah. Yeah. Boom. She's got it ready as soon as you know. It's kind of like gambling. He's got an account one of them. If she's got that much money, it must be real. Third, fourth. So, this is what they need to take it all back. Mhm. Why is she not saying anything at this point? They need to be turned off. I don't know. Okay. So, she has all the cash is, let's say it's uh 3,500 bucks. She counts it out, right? 1,000 2,000 3,000 500. So, while he's messing around, he puts the money right here. She grabs all the money together, assuming she he counted it. Then she she slight slight of hands Yes. the money off of the off of the thing and then gives the rest back to him. Correct. Minus approximately whatever. Yes. And assuming he won't count it again, right? And most of them don't. Ah. Brand new. That's what they Yes. There's times they'll walk around the store looking for new associates. If they don't see any, they'll just walk out. Oh, okay. I got it. So, all in all, what's she What did she uh short him? So 3,200. Um, this is the receipt right here. Mhm. [Music] The tail is short. 31.99 37. So how how much money did she put out there? What was she? So that transaction 3,200. You can put that in a How did she How did she manage to take back so much money though? She picked it all up. Yeah. And slight of handed and then gave it back to him and he didn't recount it. I mean, but three $3,000 is pretty thick. Well, we we couldn't really see him count it. Oh, because he counted it in his hands. Yeah, it's not on the table. But [Music] um I did too. It just seems unlikely that I mean if the total was the money, right? That's almost all the money that you could bet. So that's So how many do you want me to ring this up and see what the total was or I didn't get is it possible that this associate is working in concert with her? I got that vibe but cuz he he told us a few things separately at first at first. You see what I'm saying? Like let's say the total 3500 and the that would mean she took all of it back. Yeah, she took basically all of it back. Yeah, that's kind of why I was confused too at first. She didn't take all the money though. Yeah. So, I don't know if he put it in as something different cuz at first he told me that she never touched the money after she laid it down and that he counted each stack several times. Oh my goodness. This is the all the places that they Holy Toito. All the Let me take a photo down. I can go a little bit down if you want. The woman was charged with secondderee theft and remains in Walmart's aura database as a member of an organized retail theft ring. On September 30th, 2024, the Durango Police Department stopped a Romanian suspect, suspecting involvement in fraudulent activity. As the car stopped, the cops questioned the man, who denied any wrongdoing or deals with others. However, inconsistencies in his story and a sudden change in his destination raised suspicions. Durango Police Department. The reason I'm contacting you today is for regarding some fraudulent activity. Do you have your driver's license with you? What's your name? Okay. You speak English? Yes. Yes, sir. You're from Romania? Yes, sir. Okay. Do you have any other gold with you? Do you have any gold rings? Yes, sir. Just Okay. What were you doing at Home Depot? The store. Home Depot. Home Depot. Yep. Yeah. I just asked for people for some gas some gas because I I'm getting I want I want to drive California. Yeah. You asking people for gas money. Okay. All right. Give me a second here, man. Um you're saying driving from Grand Junction. You were at Home Depot asking people for Yes, sir. Yes. I asked for gas. Yes. I don't lie to you. I tell them the truth. Don't worry. I want to Okay. I didn't do some nothing bad. I don't steal. I don't run no one. I didn't harm us. No one. I just asked for gas. If they want to help me, hand me if not. Okay. I just Was there a deal made? Excuse me. No deal for nothing. Were they Did you offer them something in return for the gas? They don't have nothing. Huh? Nothing because they didn't give me nothing. I just asked they don't have. Okay. Go ahead and turn the car off, man. So, officers confronted the man about four fake gold scams, but he denied it, claiming he bought his jewelry from China. After some reluctance, he agreed to let them search his car. Can you go ahead and step out of the car for me? Go ahead. Close the door. Stay out of traffic. Close the door. Take your hands out of your pockets. Okay. Go ahead and stay right there. What? Whatever you say. What? It's okay. Okay. Yeah. So, go ahead and turn around. Yeah. Place your hands on top of your head. When you lace your fingers, you interace your fingers. Stay there. Do not move. Do you have anything on dangerous on you? You think that's going to poke and stick your hurt? Nothing. Nothing. Okay. I'm just going to do a quick pat down of your person. Okay. Nothing. Nothing. Okay. You you put your hands down. Just that's just for our safety. Yes. Yes. I don't have nothing in my car. Nothing. I don't have nothing in there. Okay. No weapons. No, nothing. But okay, I'm just in transit here. I will not I will not stay anymore here. I will leave. I promise I will leave. I'm going to ask some questions now. Never. You will not see me here. Yeah. Okay. So, what again is your name, sir? How can I How can I act? Sam, are you telling me the truth about your name? 100% this is my name. Samu. Okay. So, we we have information that the story that you're telling, Officer Lumpin, is incorrect. Okay. We have four different cases involving this car and fake gold. Okay. Over the last two weeks, do you this car here? Yeah. Over the last two weeks. So, I don't believe your story that you're walking through town in the last 20 minutes. Maybe. Maybe you maybe maybe you confuse me mom because I I tell you honest I swear you I you can check my GPS to see from where I come my phone and you see all the direction from where I coming from my GPS. I can track your GPS on your phone and you can you you can see you can see the direction from where I calling mom. Okay. All right. Well, we can work on that later. Here's my problem is that three or four different people have reported to police that someone matching your description has been selling them fake gold. If you bring that people and they say I am, then I'm guilty. Okay. What I want to do is check your car for fake gold. Will you give me permission to search your car top to bottom? Top to bottom? What is this? Like all over. I show you what you're not going near the car. No, I show you. I I just show you what I have. No, it's these two. It's one more in the car. That's not the question. That That's not the question. Will you sir give me permission to search your car? Please. Is that okay? Please. Okay. So, I'm going to go and get a piece of paper that says, "You give me permission to search the car. I'm not allowing you back to this car. Do you understand that? How you are not allowed in? You have to stay here until we search the car. You're not going to be allowed into the car while we search it. At the same time, you have to stay away from the car. Okay. While we search. Does that Does that make sense? First time I want my phone to have my phone because I for my safety I want to record everything. We're all wearing and for my own safety, I want to record to have it for me myself. Well, you're I don't record you. I just record record only. No, that's that's okay. But I'm I'm not I just want to record myself. I'm not not I'm not going to give you the phone issue for us. Okay. I'm not going to give you the phone because this is this is what what what you tell me now. This it's put me in the in the Do you guys have while I go get the paper in the in the in the wrong position, but I don't know why why you put me in in this wrong position right now. So, Samir, like the other officer already explained to you, okay? There's been four separate cases, if not more, where someone matching your description and your vehicle down to the plate is saying, "Hey, this person's selling me fake gold is every everyone can say that that's mean I I'm the one." I mean, you can be honest with me. Tell me as to what's going on. I just I have been honest with you 100% sure. I didn't take I didn't give nothing to nobody. Samir, the gold that you're wearing here and on your on your watch, is it real or is it fake? It's by TE. I just bought it from the TE site from TMO. Yes, from T. From China. They come from China. Do you know if it's real or fake? I don't know if it's real or fake. I just bought it from China. Okay. How much did you pay for it? For example, for one of this chainy, you pay like $4. Okay. $4 something like that. Okay. Say the man tried to convince the cops he was selling real gold, but his words became harder to believe as they uncovered more details about the case. Goldplated. I don't know. It's 100%. Samir, how long have you been here in America? 6 months. 6 months. Okay. Again, you don't have to give me permission, but it it's up to you. It's it's up to you. I'm just honest with you. Even if you think I do something bad, I didn't do nothing bad. You can search my car if you I I I can tell you from now what I have in my car right now from here. I tell you from my mouth. Okay. I have one more chain like this and one ring and a watch like this in my here in my in my circus. This is all what all what I have. You can check all this car. You don't find nothing more than maybe two pieces like this watch is broken. Okay. One new this one and one chain like this in my door and one ring. That what needs all I think it's okay six seven. That's all we're looking for. Okay. Now if sir if you agree can I get your signature the signature and then I'll sign it too. One one I'm standing I have Please take your time. I tell you what I have in my car that that I buy it from them. It's not used. It's brand new. I keep it and I wear it for myself. I just have one more necklace like this there in the door in the ring world. Can I just take from my car, please? My phone? No. My phone? No. Now you take take everything. You take my phone. Thank you. I don't know if I'm taking your phones. No, but you tell me you search for fake so I can have my phone to just contact someone. No. No. It's an officer safety issue. Okay. Thank you. That's been asked and answered three. As the cops began searching the man's car, they discovered large amounts of cash hidden in various locations, raising more red flags about his activities. That is scary. Scary for one, two, three, four, $500. Another $2 bill. Come here. Just make sure nothing else is in there. [Music] [Applause] Sir, you have a lot of cash in here. So, I'm going to count that in front of you. Okay. Yes. Yes, ma'am. Yeah. So, this I already count was 500, but Yes. This is my money, right? Okay. One, two, three, uh, 200. Will you hold that? Yep. Yep. 20 40 and that's $1,000. I don't want to spend the neighbor because I find this is my savings. 20 40. Yes. I asked for gas. Yes. Okay. So, I'm just going to put that right back in. Okay. I'm going to borrow this, but I'm going to give you your wallet. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. Goodbye. [Applause] The cops thoroughly searched the car and recovered multiple fake gold items, including necklaces, rings, and watches. with several fraud complaints linked to him. He was then placed under arrest. 20. Here's this is the money that was in the console. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. 10 20. So it's 30. 30 11 12 13 14 and 15. Yes. I asked for guess. Yes. 115. I'm going to give you that to your wallet also. Okay. 115. Good. [Applause] Three necklaces. One watch, two watches, four necklaces, three rings, [Music] and here's one, one ring, two ring. Three. I might be able to tell or tie ring. Two rings and a tie ring. Okay. This is the jewelry and your cell phones. Okay. based on on all of the jewelry that I found inside of the uh inside of the car and the the three and four I think there's four reports that we have of you defrauding people selling them fake jewelry. I'm going to place you under arrest for for uh fraud. Okay. Okay. So, I'm going to need you to turn around and give me your hands like this. It's not a big deal. One second. These are one second. These are misdemeanor. Before before to do that, I want my phone to call someone to know I'm you going to bring me to the prison. Uh you don't have that option right now, but we will call someone. Okay. If you're if you're cooperative, we can see about getting the phone number out once you get there. And then you make Your phones are in there and they will go with you. Okay. But we're not we're not going to do that on the side of the road right now. That's an officer. My car. We're going to tow it and have it towed for safekeeping. Okay. So, I now I need you to turn around and hand your hand. Give me your hands to Okay. Thank you, sir. I'm going to search you here in a second. Okay. Okay. I didn't take any money from no one. I just asked for gas. Will you come here on 141? That's not the story we have. PD4. We have different information. Okay. Maybe. But at the station, the cop called the man's cousin to inform him of the situation. The officer explained the man's wrongdoing and outlined the next steps in the legal process. for my my cousin. What happened with him? Uh he's been arrested for selling um fake jewelry or attempting to sell fake jewelry. But he's not selling. All right. And what do you think is going to happen next? Um my sergeant is reviewing my arrest report. Um and then he'll be transferred to the Llata County Jail for the night. Mhm. Um, they'll probably have a bond. Uh, I don't know. What is the bond? I don't know. They'll the the jail staff will have to figure that one out. I can give you the phone number for the jail staff. Yes, please. Do you know how can I find the bundist on this hour? Well, they will help you. Thank you so much. Yeah. Can I have the phone number? And is have just a one charger? No. No crime charger. Just to try to sell. What do you say? The fake jewelry? Oh, really? Yeah. I'll show you. Oh my god. Fill it out already. Yeah. [Applause] Yes, bigger one. and margin. Oh, I got some just took some magic. You want us to contact the embassy to let them know that you're here? So when it comes to someone that's not a national citizen in the United States, in other words, US citiz to let them know that their citizens here in Durango in Argent. Yeah, go for it, man. Put the rest of the stuff in this door. The man was charged with fraud for selling fake jewelry. Confidence can take you far, but when it crosses into overconfidence, it becomes your downfall. This woman, who first walked away with $9,500 from a bank scam, thought she could outplay the system again. But this time, her bold move backfired as the cops stepped in. On January 17th, 2024, officers responded to a bank in Coral Springs regarding a potential fraud in progress. Officers arrived at the bank and began questioning the woman about her visit and past transactions, but her responses only sparked more questions, intensifying their doubts. I'm going You got ID on you? Oh, she has an idea. What's what's going [Music] on? Check the check your name. Yeah. Well, it's a it was a money order that was from where? Um I sold I sold some stuff on eBay. When I picked it up from uh Western Union check out Western Union here locally or where? I don't remember exactly where it was. Do you was it in Coral Springs or? No, it was in um I'm not from around here so I don't really know the towns. Where you from? I'm from Chicago. Okay. Aurora. Aurora. Exactly. How long you been down to Florida? Just for a couple since last week. I got here last Wednesday. Okay. You moving here or are you visiting? I'm visiting my um I went to a uh family wedding. Where at? At the um in Bonita Springs. Oh, okay. So, where are you staying close here or? Yeah, I'm staying close. You your family live in Where's your family live? They live in um they live in Miami Beach. They live all over. Okay. So, what brought you to this bank specifically that it's not anywhere near the places you're staying? What do you mean to what brought me to this bank? Yeah. What was it? Well, I came here um last week. So, I just What day last week? Um Thursday or Friday? I can't remember what day. Okay. Do the same thing. You deposit a check or Yeah. Yeah. You deposit or cash it or? Yeah, I withdrew money. You withdrew your money? Yeah, because I went to the to the wedding, so I need cash. Oh, okay. Did she go to the ATM or No, I came in here and I saw Oh, okay. The woman provided inconsistent details about her identity and whereabouts, raising suspicions of fraud. Based on these discrepancies, officers decided to take her into custody. Okay, cuz we're going to fingerprint you and if it comes back to somebody else, you're going to be additionally charged. Okay, it's to me. And if this is not really who you are, we're going to add charge you for obstruction because you're giving me a false name. So, I need to know if it's actually deposit. Okay, answer me. Is this your real name? But sir, answer me. Where is there something wrong with depositing? We'll get into that. I need to know this. I know. Okay. Well, you're not afraid to go. So, we're going to fingerprint you to find out who you really are. You can't fingerprint me unless you're detained. You are detained before what? Because you have suspicious activity on this account and we're finding trying to figure out what's going on with you real name. I'm not I'm not It doesn't matter. You don't have to. Okay. or because he works that that gentleman works for the bank. You're not going to wait. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Wait. Wait. Wait. No. No. You want to be this way? Okay. Do not resist. Do not resist. Do not resist. Please. When you pull on. Yes. That's Well, hold on. Let me let me loosen this up cuz you just way way twisted your wrist. You tighten it up on tighten it up on yourself. Listen, I don't want to go this route. Well, you you decided to go that route when I asked you what your real name is and then you're like, well, I don't consent to any of this. Well, you don't have to say so consent to anything because let me loosen this up so you can fix your So, I'm not entitled to a lawyer though. You're I'm confused. Lawyer does not happen right now, ma'am. That's when you went to court. Turn. Turn on. There you go. Like that. Now I don't have [Music] any smoked [Music] just like cigarettes. You know when you smoke a cigar, cigarette or whatever sticks to your clothing to your to your pores and all that. Okay. So you the same thing as marijuana. You smoke marijuana stay closer in here. You haven't provided us with your real name, man. You said he said he's a general contractor, right? What's what's his name? Oh wow. So the guy works for you guys. We don't know. He comes in every day. We just He's a really nice person. Yeah. But he's Well, he's the assistant to the general contractor, but he he was he's putting in our multis. No, Dennis is the boss. Dennis is the boss. Okay. And you don't know you don't know his name. No, he's a really cool. He's a pretty chill guy. Yeah. Well, you guys had this going on and we usually So, I just went out just to make sure and he was being a complete jerk off. Yeah, I I told you suspicious activity. There's suspicious activity on the account. So, need to figure out who you really are. Make sure you really are. You turn around for me. Can you turn around for me, please? I'm going to take your fingerprints. I need you to turn around. I'm not condon we'll just charge you with it as well to charge. After more questioning and attempts to confirm the woman's true identity, the officers informed her of the charges she would face. We're trying to figure out who you are, ma'am. Okay. And then what? And then we can talk more from there. I can't address somebody I don't know who I'm speaking to. I need to speak with the lawyer. Okay, no problem. You can speak to the lawyer. Okay. So, my lawyer asking you question my lawyer would tell me answer. You have to identify yourself no matter what. It doesn't matter what's going on. Okay. I just need your I just need you to open up your right hand. Okay. You understand? Every time I ask you to open your right hand, we're going to charge you with obstruction. Okay? It's more and more charges. They keep going. And then when you get down to BSO, they are going to fingerprint you by force. And when they figure out who you are, we're going to charge you with that as well. Okay. I need to know what what what happened. I think I think you understand what's going on. I I just need to know what happens. Okay. And once I figure out who you are, I can speak to you and actually tell you what the charges are. Okay. So, just give me your right hand. Just pull your finger out for me. Thank you very much. All right. How about I just tell you what? Well, that works, too. But I got to I got to verify it. Okay. Just give me your right finger. That's all. See? real simple. It wasn't ready. Sorry. You said you just need Well, I need I need two, man. It's not going to work with just one finger. How many warrants do you have for you right now? [Music] Um, I might have one here in Florida, but it's old. Very old. I'm seeing one. That's why I'm asking. Yeah, it's very old. Very old. Yeah. New. That's why I use a little bit. Okay. What do you What do you think should happen? Were you do were you here doing deposit? You were depositing a check. Yeah. Okay. In your name. Who's into whose account? I'm just doing what I was told. That's all. Okay. You're doing what you're told. Who is telling you to do it? You don't know. So, you're just doing it for a phantom. Well, they promised me something obviously, you know. So, okay. What did they promise you? Money. Money. Mhm. Are they in the area? How are you supposed to go out if you cancel? Um, like I said, I pulled up an Uber. Okay. And you're supposed to leave with that Uber. Okay. So, you you understand your rights, right? You don't have to speak to us or anything like that. But now that we know who you are, the truth of who you are, obviously those rights still, you know, are still in effect, right? Now, now they actually mean something because we can say it to. You know what I mean? So, again, you're you're you don't have to answer anything. The woman accused the cops and showed no remorse for her actions. In response, the officers warned her about the serious consequences of what she had done. You just forcing We didn't force you to do anything. Don't say that. That's We're not forcing you to do anything. We're We're just sitting here having a conversation with you. You didn't see anything wrong with What's that deposit? Yeah. Yeah. No, you you said you're depositing whatever you said you're depositing. That's fine. Well, earlier you told me you went to Western Union and got a check, right? You came here to deposit it. Okay. Well, we you were here earlier. You said you're also here last week. Earlier you told me that. What did you do last week? [Music] Do you have a camera? Just want to reiterate. Tell me what you told me last week. Last week. Okay. You want to ask any more questions? Answer any more questions. Do you want to answer any more questions? No. Okay. Fair enough. All right. I'm supposed to be so rough though, please. I'm being as gentle as I can be. Put that in there. Okay. I think you know at this point you're being placed under arrest. Ma'am, hang on one second. Don't move. Second. Don't lock this system. The woman was charged with obstruction using a fake ID, fraud, defrauding a financial institution, and grand theft. Meet Patel, a mastermind scammer who pulled off a $400,000 gold bar heist, convinced he would never be caught. But his illusion of freedom shattered when the cops brought his scheme to an end. On May 30th, 2024, police responded to a call reporting fraud with the caller claiming someone was attempting to use their ID for unauthorized purchases. Speed zone. You had like a whole line of people behind you. Is there some reason why you're driving so slow? Where you going, dude? Sir, I confused because I I I find hotel. Find what? Hotel. Hotel? Yes. Where are you supposed to go? Where are you going? Near hotel. A hotel. What hotel? Holiday. The holiday in where at? What address? Where do you work for somebody? No, just say I'm because I am so tired. What? What? I'm so tired. You're tired? Okay. What are you doing? What? What are you doing? Work. Who do you work for? Work for Chicago. Chicago. What? You just picked up a bag. What? You just picked up a bag from somebody. Yes. Where are you taking it? 14. Where? What? My My friends. Your Who's your friend? Thanks. Who Who is your friend? Shut your car off. Take your seatelt off. Seat belt. Take your seat belt off. Step out. Get out. Get out. Go back over there. You have anything on you? No weapons? No. No. Nothing. Okay. ID. ID. Stay over here. Hand me your ID, please. Give me one second. Um, so you're calling in about a fraud? Yes. Uh, so what's what's going on? Well, I got last week I got a call from Amazon telling me that somebody was trying to purchase stuff using live identification. So they called to verify it. I said, "No, that's not me. I don't know anything about it." And they said, "Well, this sounds like fraud." and they connected me supposedly with I'm guessing some kind of a mural or something in Washington. I talked to a young lady there and she filled me in. I gave uh I mean, you know, I she put me through to supposedly uh an investigative agent in the Social Security Bureau. They uh I have in fact I have on my phone they have a whole bunch of charges my social security number involving I don't know eight eight banks and a whole bunch of stuff money that supposedly went to Syria and uh this agent called me up and I I did what he asked. I I gave him two ingots of two kilos of book gold um to protect my savings and checking account. I'm sorry. You did? You did what? I gave him two kilos. I didn't give him directly. I gave it to somebody in a car. And weeks later, the cops noticed Patel driving unusually slowly, appearing disoriented. When they stopped him, Patel claimed he was visiting his brother, but his story seemed unclear and evasive. Are you okay? I cannot see. I I see black, black, black, black. Okay, we're going to call an ambulance for you. We're going to call an ambulance and you can put him in the grass. He's not on the hot [ __ ] Come on, buddy. Please. Come on. That way you're not on the hot [ __ ] I can I can I got you. There you go. There you go. That That way you're not on the hot [ __ ] No one No one does does business that way. Especially not a government entity. Well, I have. So, how much So, how much is one of those bull bars? Well, it it was $154,000. Two bars. So, one bar is $154,000 or both? One bar was I don't know. Split it in half. Okay. So, $154,000. And when And when did you give them this? Uh, you know what? I I I think what's today? Monday. I think you gave you gave that to them on Monday. I have uh a a copy of this guy's card, his name, his badge number. Sir, sir, his that's not that's not a legit that's not a real person. I will get that information from you, but that's that's not a real person. And I also have copies on my phone of all the warrants out for my arrest. Yeah, sir. Those aren't those aren't real warrants. Because I drink water. I need Okay. You got any water in your car? No, I Is there water in there? No. Oh. What water did you need to drink? What? What were you going to drink? Anything. Anyway. I don't even have to look it up. I I'm telling you, you don't have any warrants for your arrest. Well, I'm only going by what I see. Pictures worth a thousand words. Are you there? Yes, sir. I'm sorry. Are are you you coming here? I'll show you what I got. Well, I mean, yes, sir. I'll I'll be there in a minute, sir. Okay. Mhm. Feeling okay right now? Yes. Okay. Yeah. Yes. So, you're from Chicago? Yes. What are you doing in Florida? 26. You feeling okay right now that you're sitting in the shade? Okay. I'm going to read you something real quick. Okay. Cuz I I'm going to talk to you. I just want to make sure I'm going to read you your Miranda warnings. Okay. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can get you to court at all. You have the right to come to a lawyer while you question. You can fire any question. As Patel appeared unsettled, the officers had him sit on the grass. After reading him his Miranda rights, they questioned him about his purpose there, delving into his background. My personal thing is Do you have a nickname? No. No. I'll just call you Mr. Patel. Oh, okay. So, you're you're from Chicago and you're just here visiting right now? Yes. Whose car is this? I a rental. It's a rental. When did you come to Florida? Uh uh two day ago. Two days ago. And what for what purpose? Because my brother is here. Oh, his name. Okay. Same last name Patel. He lives here in Stewart. He lives in uh Miami. Miami. So, what are you doing in Stewart right now? What? What are you doing here right now in Martin County? I uh I go in nearby hotels and stay for Singapore. My because I am so tired. Uh I I came for Miami to drive this and uh in morning I go beach. You went to the beach this morning? Yes. Visit for beach and then now I go nearby hotel. You go to the hotel? Yes. Okay. And and then where are you going to go? Were you going to go back to Miami? Yes. Yes. When uh 2 hours stray and then go Miami. Oh, okay. And then when are you going back to Chicago? Yeah. Today night. tonight. Yeah. Oh, okay. You should probably sleep before you do that. What? You should probably sleep before you do that if you're tired. Yes. Um, so today, right now, you just got a package of gifts. Yes. Who? From who? Who is that? Relative. Who? My relative. Your relative. That was your relative. Yes. Oh, okay. Um, and where are you taking the package? just back with you to Miami or Chicago or something? From Miami. Okay. So, so the gift is for you? Yes. Okay. Have you seen that guy? Who is it? How is it your relative? What? How was he your relative? My father related to him. Your father's related to him. When was the last time you saw him? Last time uh when I met Greg? When was that? Was that like a month ago? No. No. When was it? Um, two months ago, a year ago, three or four months ago. Three or four months ago, you you saw him? Yes. Okay. And it's Did he give you a gift then, too? Yes. Yes. Okay. And then what did you do with the gift after you got it? You just took it back to Chicago with you? No. Chicago with you? No. No. What did you do with it? Uh, I I went to Miami. You took it to Miami. And did you did you keep it or did you give it to somebody? He didn't say anything other than uh at 4:00 he has to call an Uber for his father who's getting out of work in Chicago. Okay. Yeah. So he would like his phone back by 42 and uh he wanted to be in the house up front. Same property but we'll be talking. See how it's so easy to get in here and then buckle you up. I got to make it that way all over again. Got to make it easy to to buckle up. There we go. See? All right. Come on out. You're going out. Can I say one thing? One one man told me that that's why I can do this. Huh? One man told me. During further questioning, Patel claimed the gold he was carrying was a gift from a relative. But the details about the gold's origin and his intentions raised suspicion to drive this and uh in morning I go beach. You went to the beach this morning? Yes. Visit for beach and then now I go nearby hotel. You go to the hotel. Yes. Okay. A and then where are you going to go? Were you going to go back to Miami? Yes. When uh 2 hours stay and then go Miami. Oh, okay. And then when are you going back to Chicago? Yeah. Today night. Tonight? Yeah. Oh, okay. You should probably sleep before you do that. What? You should probably sleep before you do that. Yes. If you're tired. Yes. Um, so today, right now, you just got a package, a gift. Yes. Who? From who? Who is that? Uh, my relative. Who? My relative. Your relative? Yes. That was your relative? Yes. Oh, okay. Um, and where are you taking the package? Just back with you to Miami or Chicago or something? Miami. Okay. So, so the gift is for you? Yes. Oh, okay. Have you seen that guy? Who is who, how is it your relative? What? How is he your relative? My father realiz Your father's related to him. When was the last time you saw him? Last time uh when I made When was that? Was that like a month ago? No. No. When was it? Uh uh 2 months ago, a year ago, 3 4 months 3 or 4 months ago you you saw him? Yes. Okay. And it's Did he give you a gift then too? Yes. Yes. Okay. And then what did you do with the gift after you got it? You just took it back to Chicago with you? No. No. What did you do with it? Uh I I put Miami. You took it to Miami. And did you did you keep it or did you give it to someone? No. Keep keep It's yours. Yeah. So, so, so the the this is yours? Yes. Oh, okay. And And what do you what do you do with the gold bars? What What do you do with the gold bars? What? What? Go. It's gold. What do you do with it? What do for me? Yeah. Job. Huh? It's a What? What you say? He gives you He gives you a gold bar, right? A gold box, right? That has gold in it. Yes. Yes. What do you do with the gold? I I because my sister marriage Uh-huh. then I go I I I when I I go India. Oh, you went to India with it? Because my sister married in January. Your sister's getting married? Yes. So, you're taking the gold with you to India? Yes. Okay. Is that what you did 3 or 4 months ago? Yes. In January. In January you did that. Okay. Um Okay. So, how are you feeling right now? Are you okay? That's good. But I need drink water. Okay. We're going to we're going to get you some. Okay. They're on the way. Thank you, sir. Just hang tight for a second. Okay. Okay. Pretty are here. Yeah. Okay. Well, fire rescue's coming to make sure you're okay. Okay. You know fire rescue is the ambulance. Yes. Yes. Okay. How long have you lived in America your whole life? Yes. You have? What? Have you lived here your whole life? Yeah. You have? No. No. What? I My language. Were you born here or were you born in You were born in India. Yeah. When did you move here? In October. In where? October of this year of 2000. That's when you moved to Chicago. Yes. Okay. The officer questioned Patel about his connection to the gold, but his confused and conflicting answers soon exposed him, landing him in legal trouble. Are you on a work visa or you are you a citizen here? What? Are you a citizen here too in India? Two places? No. You on work visa? I came here in two October. So you live here permanently? Permanent resident? Yeah. Oh, okay. Cool. So you got your citizenship? What? You have citizenship. Are you a are you United States citizen now? No. No. No. No. Okay. So, are you going back to India or are you going to stay? Stay here because I have a green card. Oh, you have a green card? Yeah. So, that's why I asking work visa. Okay. Work visa. Who's green card? Work visa? No green card? My family is here. Yeah. Okay. Your family's here? Yeah. In Chicago. In Chicago. Except you're somebody's in Who's in Miami? Uh, can I pick my call? Uh, no, not right now. Okay. Sorry. Sorry. It's okay. It's okay. Um, so who's in Miami? My brother. Your brother? Brother. Your brother. And is that the brother that's getting married in India? Yes. So when are you going back to India? In January because my sister married in J. Ingenuity. Um, I'm going to 10:15. If you could take them to CD, that's where we're going. Stand up. Yeah. Hop on out, Mr. Patel. All right. Here, let me take this. I'll hold it for you. Okay. Yeah. All right. Go ahead and put your hands behind your back. It's okay. Relax. I got that. We're going to take you back to the office. Okay. We're being placed under arrest right now, but we're going to take you back to the office. Oh, what? You can take your water. But why not? Because the guy's not your relative. Hey, Ryan, leave his handcuffs off for one second or at least one or Yeah, I'd like to keep his phone. Yes. Hang tight. Okay. Nobody gets to go in my car without. Yeah, I'll take that. No, I don't have any any He's got to check his rules. The way it works. Give any of his property to Jen and she'll meet you at C ID. There's that. Not hiding anything down here. No, Mr. Patel. Right. Yeah. Come on out. You're going out. Uh, can I say say one thing? One one man told me that that's why I can do this. Huh? One man told me. One man who what are you talking about? One man what? One man told me uh you picked this and you dropping my dead. One man told you that. Yes. Who? What man? The man was charged with first-degree grand theft, second count, and organized fraud involving $5,000 or more. Imagine trusting a store manager with the day-to-day operations only to find they've stolen thousands of dollars. That's exactly what happened at Dollar General, where a manager justified taking $4,000, claiming it was for cancer treatment. And she said it was about $600 a week. Is that correct? About $2,400 so far total. Yeah. On June 6th, 2023, police responded to a report from a store about a manager who had stolen money from the shop. The cops spoke with the asset protection team who explained how the manager had been processing fraudulent refunds. After reviewing CCTV footage, her actions were exposed, revealing her theft. We have an employee, assistant manager. She's um she's racked up fraudulent refunds. She's pocketing the cash. It's all on CCTV. So, how does that work? So how that works is in the past we call you guys and she gets arrested cuz we're No, I mean like with the refund. So I'm assuming someone brings like their stuff and the receipt. There's but in this case there's no employee or no um customer present. So she's doing the refunds herself like there is somebody there and then she's pocketing the cash. How do you do that though without having you you could do it. It's possible to do it on register. However, it gets flagged and that's when me and the district manager and the asset protection will come in and So, is she taking cash out of the cash drawer? Yes. Yes. Okay. So, we have it on the flash drive for you. We have all the transactions. Okay. Um, typically we give it. Is there a way to look at all that first before I go and talk to her? You can, but this is regional asset protection. She's for the whole majority of Central Florida. Well, just so I understand exactly what exactly it is that Yeah. So we can have or if you could I guess if you could just kind of explain to me how it works on. So basically what happens is she has a manager key. She's behind the register. Um there's no customer present. So basically what she's doing is she's performing refunds herself. So just like pulling up random receipts and then pretending someone's here and says, "Oh, they handed me a receipt and the item instead and then cash box opens for it and she just takes all that cash." So instead of a a customer being here and they're owed the cash, she's taken the cash herself. And how long has that been going on for? Uh at least two weeks. Two weeks. Yeah. Okay. Um and you said we do have video of it. We have the CCTV video of it. We put it on the flash drive. We have Is there a partial of it that I could see? I could see partial of it. I'm sure I don't need to watch the whole two weeks, but even just seeing 34ification. Yeah. We get reporting that alerts us and then what happens is we do remote CCTV monitoring. I do it for 21 stores in Ocala. She's regional asset protection. So then she reviews after that and at that point then we come in. It's already validated on the CCT. So you got the first one you said about 2 weeks ago? No, we have probably two dozen different transactions. But I'm saying the first in incident was about 2 weeks ago. Yeah, we could probably look on reporting. And it does it send you a notification every time that happens? Yeah, we get notifications of any kind of transaction. will stand out. So if you have excessive refunds back to back, which we do like 10 in a row and you said it it links to her when she swipes the card. So does it go like towards like a certain employee number? It goes right to the transaction and then we review on the CCTV to see like gives you like a time and all that stuff. I'm assuming it gives us everything. It's like we can actually pull the CCTV. We actually see the employee. We see no customer present. We can pro we can see the video. Yeah. So, I'll just have to see all that before I can actually make an arrest on it. Okay. Yeah. My She's got to be able to see. She wants to see a partial video. Yeah. I'm going to have to see something. Okay. But you don't want to talk to her first. I will eventually. I want to see my evidence first. She'll just admit it. I still do have to see my evidence before so I at least can know really what I'm So, they're going to need to talk to you. Yeah. Why don't you about what happened and then moving forward? Yeah. So, how long have you known about all this? Um, I just reached out to her. Yeah. When I started reviewing the exceptions, you know, just putting it all together really. So today it's kind of been like a full circle moment conversation because I already reviewed it and I already seen what was going on. I went back as far as I could on video. And based on that, the woman expressed regret, promising never to repeat her actions. Despite her remorse, the cops took her into custody and moved forward with the legal process. I guess is there anything you want to say about that after watching it? I mean why do you know why you did it? Tell her. Yeah. You want me to tell her? Okay. She has some uh disease and she's taking medicine and it's become very expensive. So she knew that it was going to be seen but it was the need was greater than the competitive. You agree with that statement that she just gave me? Okay. very How long have you been doing it for? Three weeks wrong. Yeah. About 3 to four weeks. That's all she wrote in the statement. Okay. She wrote you a statement? Yeah. In Spanish. Mhm. Okay. Yeah. So, I have to translate it, but I have the statement here. Okay. And she said it was about $600 a week. Is that correct? About $2,400 so far. Total. Yeah. Okay. What is uh if you if you don't mind, would you be able to translate that for me? I hope my Spanish is not um uh between she says um around March 9 that I started working with Dollar General. Uh I have conducted I've been doing um things that are not right. I hope I'm translating it right. Um that I shouldn't be doing. And like I explained to Meline, which is me. Okay. I um she has some conditions, health conditions which had her conduct some refunds um for the need for those uh medication. And she said she has been doing this. Um, how can I explain to you? Um, I got um gone too. They can leave inside my car. Oh, what? I gone. I have I have ID everything. Okay. So, I can show you everything. But they can't leave in my inside my car. You can leave it in your car. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. I wouldn't suggest taking it out. Just make sure. No. Can I leave? Do you want to leave these here? Oh, yeah. Inside. Can I leave it? All in the car? Yes. Yeah, that's fine. What disease do you have that you need all this money for? It's because I know it's it's it's bad. I know, but I have a health condition in my blood. So, every Wednesday they need to put me on. What do you have, though? Is it like is it cancer? Is it leukemia? It's like a similar cancer. So every Wednesday they need to put um blood and items. Okay. So that's every Wednesday and they dispense. So I'll have them give it to them. So at 40 uh come southbound and meet at my car. Go ahead and face your car for me quickly. I just got to pat you down and then I'll put you in my car and then I'll have her um You slot is now sure it's not too tight for you. All right. So, we'll go over to my car and then I'll have uh if you can run these keys into them in the manager's office. Thanks. Well, thanks for being cool and calm for me. Just go ahead and lean against you. I'm going to pat you down quickly. You don't have anything else on you. It's going to poke me, stick me, hurt me. Nothing. Go ahead and spread your legs for me. 26. The suspect was charged with organized fraud and grand theft. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed the video, go ahead and hit that like button and subscribe for more exciting videos. See you in the next one.