For scammers who thought they were untouchable, it only took one call to the police to prove otherwise. Here are four cases when serial scammers take the bait set by cops. Number four. He tried one more fake check then the police walked in. On September 27th, 2025, officers responded to a Wells Fargo after staff reported a man attempting to cash what appeared to be a fraudulent check. Here's what unfolded when police made contact. Put it in park. I think that's the guy. Yep. Put your hands on the roof of the car. Take a seat here for me, right? I'm hurt. Yep. I got I got like a really bad knee. Can you help me? You can kneel. I hope you don't. I'll help you up. Thank you. Why'd you leave your ID in there? I'm not going to lie to Huh? I'm not going to lie to you. Okay. I I I already know. Okay. All right. You're detained at the moment and you're free to leave, okay? Or you're not free to leave. I I apologize. So, I'm going to read you your rights, all right? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used as evidence against you. You have the right to talk to an attorney and have him or her with you now at any time during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. If any time you wish to stop talking or have an attorney present, all questioning will be stopped at your request. Do you understand these rights? Yes, sir. All right. With these rights in mind, do you want to answer some questions for me? Huh? Sure. Yes, sir. Okay. All right. My name is Officer Leverault with the Ormond Beach Police Department. Do you want to let me know what's going on? Um Because you said you already know. Uh well, I got that in the mail and when I got it in the mail, it said that it was from my grandparents and there was there was multiple of them. There was a bunch of them and I asked my grandparents if it was from them and they said no. But I called the online like treasury thing and it told me that it was valid and that um it had reached its redemption status, that it could be redeemed. He doubles down on the story that the checks came to him unexpectedly, yet his delivery only raises more red flags. I was like I just think it's I thought it was a little odd that it also had someone's name on it that I never seen before and I told them that and they said it could have just been someone else on the re-issue cuz they broke it down to me. I just don't know all the Okay. things they told me. But they told me that they were like, "Yeah, if you wanted to go cash that, like all you'd have to go to do is go to like your local branch." I felt funny about it, but I mean when I called them and they told me that like it was good, I didn't see a reason cuz it it it looks like a savings bond that I've got from my grandma before, so I don't know. I I knew I I knew something was up with it. I It's I feel dumb now. Okay. How many more of these do you have? Uh I'm not sure. You You just got them from some random person that it said it was your grandparents, but it Yeah. It said it said when I got them in the mail it said it was from my grandparents. And you called them and they said no. So, you Do you live in Jacksonville still? Where do you live? Palm Coast. Okay. So, when you tried to cash it at Palm Coast what they say? I went to Palm Coast and they just told me that I could I could cash it but they said that if I wanted to cash it there, since it was such a large amount, that uh I would I would it would be better off being deposited just so they could record who it was being dispersed to. And then I said, "Do you think if I went to another branch, they could maybe give me cash for it?" And they said, um "Just call ahead cuz every branch has different amounts of money." And I was like, "Okay, I understand." I I don't know. Midway through his account, a staff member interrupts to highlight details that simply don't line up. >> Is there only one Wells Fargo in Palm Coast? There's two of them, but uh I I went to one in the morning. Cuz uh the after I called and they said that it was uh like legit, when I looked on the Well, I looked on the first it was like a some type of treasury website. And then after that, uh um it was like After that, it gave me a phone number to call. And then once I called the phone number, they basically told me that I needed I needed to uh go to a bank to even Yeah. Yeah. Like any type of confirmation on anything. So. I I don't know. Who's this guy that rode with you? Oh, that's my friend. Okay. I've known him for a while. He's staying with me in town for now. Where's he from? He He just said he's from out of town. No, he lives out of town. Okay, so where's he from? Here. Okay, where's Okay, where's he live? I don't know where he Huh? New York. Okay. So what made you leave your ID and everything in there and try to boogie out of there so quickly? Cuz when when I got it in the mail and my grandma told me that it wasn't legit, I was like I was just kind of like I was like, "That's weird." Cuz like I've heard before of like people getting like checks in the mail and stuff like that. And then, you know, I'm going to interrupt. You tried cashing this in Palm Coast today. They told you it was fraud. >> No, they didn't. >> You fled. You called the branch here. I spoke to you. >> not flee. You did. >> No, I did not. You did. And they tried to verify it. No, it was a lady at Palm Coast branch. Right. But you knew it was fraud. You tried to cash it there and then you came here. Stand up, all right? As they question the second man, officers begin picking up on something that feels off. You got your ID with you? Huh? No? All right. Do me a favor, just come over here for me right now. Is there a problem? Yeah, I'm conducting an investigation. Just take a seat and relax for a minute, okay? But that that what she just what she just said What she just told me what she just said is not true. When I went to Palm Coast, this is the branch that I go to every single day. Literally every day. The one in Palm Coast? Yeah, I go there every day. She told me she said, "Oh, we're on a first name basis there." She literally told me that I could deposit it in my account and I was just like, "I'm okay. I I'd rather not wait." So, that officer sees you on my property. All right, yeah. Um so, I come in through the thing and I kind of box him in there and I You saw where the car was. I can see through the car, I see he's the only one in it. Get him out. Cuff him, I get him to sit back here on the curb, I read him his Miranda, and this dude I guess I had his seat laid all the way back. I don't even saw him in the car. He pops out of the passenger seat, okay. So, he started walking down that way. I'm on the phone, I called the backup over here. I guess he's on IRS for fraud stuff. I read him his Miranda, he's talking. He He says there's more of those at the house that came in the mail. He said probably some What's this guy's name? Uh Owen. Go grab him and bring him over here. You got the camera on? Yeah. Okay. No. I'm not I know. >> You got to help him up. You got to help him up. This officer already read you Miranda, correct? >> Yes, sir. You want to talk to me? Uh yes, sir. Who's Kenyatta Johnson? I That's what That's what I told him. I have no I have no clue who that is. That's why I thought it was odd and I called and then I called my Well, first I called my grandfather. I said, "Do you know anything about this?" And she said How do you know this guy? I don't know her. Well, I met him when I lived in Jacksonville. I'm just a friend. I met him at a music studio. As they dig deeper, officers connect the companion to another fraud investigation and lay that detail out during questioning. So, now we're going to cut through all the BS, okay? Huh? This guy right here is from? Yeah. You got a limited release for this Okay. Why are you Why are you looking What am I looking at you for? Are you not hurting his feelings? >> No, you just like looked at me like I was supposed to know something. Well, yeah. Well, because who's Kenyatta Johnson? It's made to you or that person. Yeah, I have That's what I'm telling you. I got So, so your So, your first your first reaction would be to I called my grandmother cuz that's where it said it was from. It was from my grandmother. And then I looked on the Treasury website. And then once I looked on the Treasury website, it said, "This is redeemable. This has met its maturity." And then I called Wells Fargo cuz it said I could redeem it online. It would just take 10 to 14 business days. So, I was like, "Who would want to wait that long?" So, then I called Wells Fargo, the one in Palm Coast first, and I said, "Is this something I'd be able to cash?" And that was last week. I was Like I said, I was nervous about it. And then I went there. And once I got to the first one, she said, "Well, we would have to hold on to it and make a copy." You have the envelope that it was mailed to you in? No. What I'm trying to I you is that why I'm looking at you funny is that don't cover for anybody. If somebody gave you this and told you it was good. Right. Okay. Okay? Because My guess Somebody gave it to you. Somebody gave me this and told me to do this. That's his plain address. That's his plain address. Your story ain't making sense. I've been doing this for 30 years and it's not making sense. Okay? Your grandma was the was the return receipt on the envelope? No. So why would you call your grandmother? Your grandmother's name isn't on there. It had It literally said from my grandma to Owen Kirkpatrick. On what? On an envelope. With conflicting statements and mounting evidence on the table, officers give the suspect one last opportunity to tell the truth. Then I opened the envelope and I saw there were there's a bunch of those in there. My first reaction was like, what the Because my grandma The reason that I first thought it was even slightly real is because when I was little, my grandma never used to get us Christmas presents. She would get us CDs like savings bonds. So I was like, maybe maybe it's like maybe I'm about to turn 21. Like maybe I can cash them in. So I called her and once I talked to her, she was like, yeah, I was like, I did not You would I don't even have that much money to give you. I called the the Treasury thing. And they told me that it was redeemable and that's also what they told me at the branch at Palm Coast. They said, yes, this is redeemable. You could redeem it right now. The only thing is if you redeem it right now, we will have to deposit it like a check and it will be held for four to seven business days. And I was just like, all right. So then I called the nearest branch which was here from Palm Coast and they said, yeah, go ahead. You're more than welcome to cash it. You're more than welcome to cash that here. And I was like, well, it's for a large amount of money like and they were like, it should not be an issue as long as it's redeemable. And I came in here. She looked it up on the computer. She put it through the little swiper thing. She said, yes, this is redeemable. So I'm not sure. Well, bottom line is it's not redeemable. It's fraudulent. And we checked the we checked the actual Treasury Department and that's what it says. Yeah, I I I I I already knew. I already knew. I I knew it from the second she she told me she was calling to verify. I was like, of course. So, you tell me it's a coincidence that this guy's an inmate and you guys are doing the same thing and you happen to be with him trying to cash a forged check. Well, I'm but I'm I met him in a studio in Jacksonville with my friend. And that was almost 4 years ago. Well, if you've known him for 4 years, then you should probably know that he's been arrested. Well, he also doesn't really like live in Florida. Like he's been staying at my house for the last couple days. He doesn't live in Florida. I I'm not sure I I don't know. All right. Have a seat. Can I sit back there? No, you can sit right here. Okay. With no solid grounds to hold the companion, [music] officers let him go and almost instantly the suspect's tone takes a turn. Did he just get let go? Yeah. You got serious? Somebody wants to Is there something else you want to say? So, you want to get the story on it? It's all good. Is this on the record or I mean, if he's obviously involved, why are you covering for him? Cuz now you're upset he got let go. We're going to do an inventory tow search. Okay. I I In the uh in the glove box, it's locked. I do have I have a firearm in there. Okay. But I I have the bill of sale and everything, so So, here's what's going to happen. That That That firearm is going to go to our PD. Okay. And they're going to have it for a little bit because they're going to test it and all that other stuff. Okay. So, they'll notify you when it's ready for you to come get it. He just got let go then? Huh? He just got let go then? Yeah. He said he didn't have anything to do with it, right? Is that what you said? Yeah. Okay. You got the keys to the car? They're in the car. Oh, they're in there. And then there's a there's a pickle jar in the glove box. But I will say the only thing that in that car that is mine is what Yeah, I didn't that I'm not going to lie to you. I I don't I don't know I'm trying to be that person, but that that backpack in that car is not mine. I don't give I don't give a [ __ ] He just told you that backpack is red one he said red backpack that's why he looked at crazy. Red backpack? I was like No clue. No clue. No clue. No clue. Look, dude, it sounds like to me you're a good kid that got wrapped up with this guy. I I've known you for a long time. >> Yeah. Well, he had you do his dirty business. No, I I I'll be completely honest. He came He He came to my house. When he came to my house, I showed him I had those. And honestly he was like, "Oh, are are those real?" And I'm like, "I'm not sure." As officers explain what he's now facing, his reaction makes it obvious he doesn't like where this is heading. So, he could have mailed them to you and then he all of a sudden just showed up? Well, the thing is I got them like a week ago. And when I got them Is there a gun in the car? In the glove box. In the glove box, but the glove box is locked. You got to take the the key and slide it. Yeah, the keys are in the car. Well, listen. That would be a That is that if that happened that would be crazy. Because I'm I'm I'm going to tell you unfortunately for you whatever's in that freaking backpack it's in your car. Are you serious? >> Yeah. Dude, that's not my You can You can probably You're probably not even for white people like hair cream in there. It's not That's crazy. That's crazy. If that's if that's the case, that's that's genuinely crazy. That's not my backpack. I don't got no reason to Like I said, like like when when the lady just came out here yelling, hooting, and hollering saying that they told me at Palm Coast that was fraudulent. I told him straight up, I know the lady in the Palm Coast branch on a first name basis. I went in there, "Miss Briana, could I cash this?" She said, "You could cash it, but we'd have to deposit it." She said, "You should try another branch." I came in here. I don't I got no reason to lie. I'm going to go search the car and you sit right there. We're going to search you and then you're going to get in the car. After laying out the facts, [music] the officer offers him one last chance to cooperate. And this time, something in the suspect changes. I feel like you are being taken taken advantage of. Okay? I I I understand. I know what you're going to say. You're >> Okay. You told it to me, but it's just like even even even if I say that is the case, what it what is that going to It's not going to Well, in the long run it might. I'm just In the long run it might it may. What I'm just trying to tell you is that we already know the situation, okay? The problem is is you're covering for people that are or you're I'm I don't know if it's multiple people. I don't know if it's one person, but you're covering for for a person or people that are using you as a young kid as their fall guy. Right. >> Okay? We 100% believe and we don't have enough to to pin it on them because you're taking the fall for them and that's what we believe, okay? What happens to me though? What do you mean what happens to you? All that stuff is paper. >> And I know you don't want to be a rat. It's not that. It's just all that stuff's paperwork. All that stuff can be gotten. As soon as I say something, all someone has to do is go and request the paperwork, and then I'm cuz I said something. So, what's worse, being in jail or having someone come do something to you or your family? >> Okay, so you're worried about you're worried about your safety. I mean, if you're worried about your safety, I get it. I do. Short That's I mean, yeah. Yeah, I mean, 100%. >> Okay. I I I I don't I've never been in trouble for it. I know. I already know this. That's why I'm talking to you. Okay? I already know that you've never been involved in something like this, and I feel like >> tomorrow. I am >> Okay. And you know what? I hate the fact that you're back here, and we're taking you to jail for this, because I feel like you're being taken advantage of and out of the fear of what somebody might do to you. Okay? Yeah. Okay. I just want to know that I'll be safe if I talk to you. Yes, you will be safe. 100%? The officer's calm reassurance seems to break through, and finally, the suspect begins to speak up. I met him through a mutual friend. Okay. So, that was a few years ago. So, what's the current What What was the current situation today? I I know >> staying with you? >> No, no, no. I know what he does for a living, one, which is this, and Which is what? Fraud. Okay. >> Um and then But, he told me, cuz I told him how I had some like I had a bunch of stuff just not go my way recently. I lost a lot of money, and I've been real down, and he told me that you know, I know someone who can make these, but I'd have to come down to Florida, and I don't know if this is all like a coincidence, or if I just He was saying this to you? Yes, I don't know if this is all a coincidence, or if he's just been like fiddling with my head, but every time he comes down to Florida, he he takes stuff uh What's it called? The the bus like that that goes all the way over there. >> he takes the Greyhound because he's he's always told me that can't go on planes because he's on the run for something and everybody's always told me that. So, he tells me he's like, "Look, I promise you 100% these are like he's like he's like, "I want you to take one right now." He's like, "I will give you one." He's like, Meaning today? Uh This morning? Yes. I can't I don't remember I have to ask my girlfriend when he came, but it was either yesterday morning or the night before that. Is when he said It's when he arrived here and we went and got them. So, when we went and got them, he was like, You went where to get them in Orlando? >> Yeah. Okay. >> We went and got them. He was like, >> What part of Orlando? Like Sanford or Oh, no. Downtown Orlando. >> Downtown Orlando? I I know exactly like they they they said way too much on the phone on speaker And what did he do? Did you guys drive down there together and then >> down there in my car. Okay. So, you took him down there. Mhm. Um He grabbed a bunch. As he talks, more details emerge about the companion's involvement and the relationship between them isn't as simple as it seemed. He knows somebody that prints those out in Orlando. Thousands of them. How many does he have on him now? Like is that the only one he had on him or is it that Do you know that he has more with him? I don't know I couldn't honestly tell you. I know for a fact cuz like I said, I've gone across the country to stay with this guy. I stayed with this guy in California before multiple times. >> Which guy? Uh I I know him as Como. I know him as Como. That is what I've always known him as. Como as in c o m o? Yeah, that's what I've always known him as. Okay. Nothing else and I've maybe heard like uh his cousin or someone else, maybe his girlfriend or something call him like uh Justo. Uh And then one time I heard his roommate call him when we were in California, Joshua. But, that doesn't matter. [music] But, Well, it comes back to like Makai like Robinson is his name. >> Which is which is real weird cuz I've heard I've There's I just want you to know though cuz I know what now with what I've already said, it doesn't really matter how much more I tell you. I can 100 percent literally probably give you enough things. Did he make you feel like you had to do it? 100 percent. 100 percent. Like and if you didn't, he was going to do something to you? >> didn't owe him money or nothing like that. It was just more so of he's It seems like it got to the point where like once I once I was sitting there and I kept looking at him and he wouldn't make eye contact with me and I had the police or the handcuffs on, I just knew I just got completely fiddled. Yeah. He was he was like He's using you as the fall person. >> Cuz What began as a two-man situation now appears larger as he names the one he claims is truly running the operation. I'm just telling you that with the stuff that I know, the body cam footage is going to be reviewed. If if I were to like the why I'm worried is because he knows how much I know because I've been Okay. When you go before a judge, okay? Um you you the judge is going to ask you questions about this, okay? At this point, it's it's it's on camera and you will he won't be able he won't know that this is going on or that you're giving him up. Eventually, he's going to get tied to the crimes that are being committed I I can tell you something right now that would tie him to multiple different things with his face on it, but people just can't find them in different cities and states. Okay. I can tell you he he he's he stole it. When I went to I didn't even know this. When I went to California to stay with him, he stole a rental car, a brand new Porsche, and had it for probably about a month when he was living out there. He >> And never got caught? He got the police like I'm talking about it was on the news like 10 cop cars, helicopter chasing him. He crashed into a wall and somehow got away. Somehow got it was all on the news. And that's not like I'm telling you there's so much more and it's not like it's like his family like >> he's a career criminal, this dude. How old is he? If if he's not lying to me, he's 31. >> Okay, we have it, but I'll look it up. Like I said, I'll look it up. >> Okay. Okay. And there's there's a lot. There's a lot a lot. >> This is this is this is not going to help you today and it's not going to help you right away, okay? But what's going to happen is is this is all going to be reviewed by a judge, by people authorities. With his confession on record, officers acknowledge his cooperation, then proceed [music] with the next steps. All right, well let's get your situation. We'll get out there. Okay? You're going to go through the whole process. You got nothing on you. No. No drugs or anything, okay? Cuz I don't want you to catch make this situation any worse for you. Like I said, this is all being recorded. It's going to be reviewed. The fact that you're admitting that that came from him >> I know. and he made you feel pressured into going in there and trying to obtain the funds for that um is when you go to court involving this case they're going to take that into consideration and this that's probably going to be enough to put a warrant out for his arrest to tie him to the crimes that you're talking about. That's like I said like what I just told you there's enough of those things to make movies. I promise you. Okay. Even though he revealed the broader scheme, the suspect still faced the consequences of his actions and was charged with unauthorized use of another person's ID, bank fraud, grand [music] theft, and forgery. Number three. Man risked it all for $25,000. It wasn't worth it. On June 24th, 2025, officers were dispatched to a local bank after staff reported a man attempting to access a $25,000 [music] home equity line of credit using a fake ID. Here's how the situation unfolded once police arrived. I I don't have an ID on me. I have the ID over there. You stand with me for a second? What possession? He still got his phone, all right? Yeah, I told him not to be on it. Okay. Put it on his leg. He says he's sending a text. He says I'm not talking to anybody though. I told him we're glad we're having this interview inside here. Yeah, no kidding. That's a positive for us. Some things we got to figure out. But yeah, it's pretty cool. Just wanted to see if you were willing to talk to us. Go. But I got I bought his book when we were on the property, but if you want to look at it, I'll bring it to you. Just asking. Yes. Okay. Cool. Yeah, we're going to head back to the precinct if you don't while. But, would you mind taking them for me? Yeah. Do you have anything in your pockets, anything like that, any weapons, anything like that? So, you're going to be getting back in his car. So, that stuff I'll have to take cuz you can't take that in the back of the car later. No. Is that one tooth? Yeah, I I I take it out. Yeah, where's your phone? You got a car out there? No. How did you get here? Uber. Okay. Yeah, this So. Uh it ain't comfortable. We ain't going very far. All right. You're probably going to have to rapid ID him. Yeah, I figured. Does your login work? Cuz he already gave me a false name. >> know if it'll work. Does your login work to that? I never had one. But, this isn't going to be fun. Uh cuz he already gave me one false name. I told him that >> [music] >> he had one chance to give me his real name. He's racking up charges. Well, I told him if he straightened up and gave me the right name, then then I'd forget about it. With verification that the ID is fake, officers move him to the station to continue the investigation. But, uh the first name he gave me was like Kurt Nots. I'm like, "Okay, maybe >> cuz that's the name on this ID. Okay. >> Kurt Nooth. No, no. But, when I told him that we had the rapid ID cuz it wasn't coming back cuz he told me he didn't have a Georgia license, he's got one out of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, which is what he said it was out of. Not really, but it's he's he's been suspended for a long time. Let me see it. Yeah, it don't look nothing like him. He's put on a lot of weight and he has facial hair. Hello. You might want to shut your mouth. Thank you. My name is Detective Trapani. I already introduced myself at the jail. All right, at the All right, at the Heber County Jail. Where were we? At the bank? Yes. Yes. So, this is Detective Dial. Um so, did he tell you if you're under arrest or not? No. No? Oh, you are. Um just so you're aware. Sorry. Do you have an ID? Your own ID? No. Whose ID is this? Okay. Well, I mean, that's your picture, I honestly, but I'm just trying to figure out exactly I mean, obviously we're here for a reason. All right. You know, this is a decent, but pretty clear fake. We see them all the time. The bank sees this all the time. You can understand why they called. Um so, I don't know what they told you before they called or how the bank What what what How did that interaction go when you got there? They just stole Oh, okay. So, you got to the bank, you said you Ubered? Yeah. Do you know what kind of car you came in? I forget the make and model. Okay. General idea? Color? Um white. White? Sedan, SUV? Sedan. White sedan. Okay. Did you sit in the back? Did you sit in the front? Back. Back. Small one, nice one, larger, mid-size? With things officially underway, the officer lays out how this is likely to play out for him. It was clean. That's a Uber. Okay. Um what about this? Is this That's fake, too, right? >> Yeah. You can be honest with me. I mean, we're we're at the point where we we we can Let us be honest with each other, you know. I I I wasn't sure if he told you or not, that's why I let you know. These are clear fakes. We we are here already and I just wanted you to be as honest with me as possible because that looks a whole heck better for you in the long run. If you're you come clean with me, you tell me everything that's going on, I think there's a lot more going on and I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. I just want to talk about all that stuff and if, you know, it is something that we can do later or like we do it a lot, you know, I can do the case file at the end and I can tell the DA's office, you know, yeah, he was honest, he owned up to everything, apologetic, sympathetic to everything and that looks a lot better when the DA's office is looking at stuff. Lie to me and they're not trying to help you at all. You know what I'm saying? So, I can't promise you anything, obviously. That's not the type of position I'm in. I follow up with the cases, pass on to the DA's office, but me telling them that you were cooperative looks a lot better when you get to that point. Um so, can you just walk me through today? You're holding it. Let's just start there. What did you do this morning? I woke up in my hotel. What time? Um like 6:00, [snorts] 7:00. Okay. With the facts laid out plainly, he opens up and shares details that even the officer didn't expect. And then and then I just went on my way and I tried to see if I could make some money. What do you mean by that? I mean I just I just got I got an order and I tried to So, you got to the bank at 1:28 p.m. You woke up at 6:00 or 7:00 a.m. So, what kind of happened in between there? Did you go anywhere else or Not really. >> stores or anything like that? No? I was just waking up, getting myself together for the day. Okay. You obviously present yourself very well when you go to these banks and probably helps you when you get there. Um Do you do Have you done this before? Have you ever gone to any other banks or anything like that? Not really, no. No? Okay. Um what about uh You You didn't go anywhere else today? No. Yesterday? No, I stayed in a hotel yesterday. Okay. Have you been to any other United Community Banks in the Atlanta area? Not that I'm aware of. No? Okay. This Is the guy you met at Walgreens? Yeah, it was the guy. Okay. Black, white, Hispanic, Asian? Uh Hispanic. Hispanic guy? Do you know what kind of Hispanic? Uh I think Puerto Rican. Do you know his name? No. We don't really go by names. What did you call him? Chief. Chief? Does his info in your phone? Uh I I think I erased it. I'm not sure. So if I do a search on your phone and get a full forensic dump of it, uh I won't get his info at all or his phone number or any messages from him? >> Probably not. I don't know. What about other folks? I mean, yeah, I have been involved in this >> No. type of thing. So this is the only person you ever talked to involved in this kind of case or in this kind of work? Um He insists this is his first time ever being involved in something like this, but the officers aren't convinced. You obviously present yourself well. You obviously have done this before uh because nobody just goes into a bank with that kind of confidence and that good of a fake ID and tries to get stuff off of someone's ID and I wouldn't even know to go to the dark web to pay $500 to somebody to get the info to create the IDs to do all this stuff. So, I want you to try and elaborate a little more and be a little more honest with me when you tell me you've never done this before. I mean, I've done it in the past, but When was the last time you did this? Or I actually going to modify my question. When was the last time you got arrested for doing something like this? The end of last year. When? The end of last year. The end of last year. Where was that at? North Carolina. Okay. You sure that wasn't this year? Actually, yeah, it was in the beginning of this year, I think. For this this Was it the same type thing? Uh yeah. What were you charged with? Um possession of a ID. Forgery? Uh I don't think so. Well, I know you're charged with possession of an ID, and I'm trying to be specific. I know, I I just don't remember. I can get it. It's right here. He already pulled it. Yes. Oh. He already pulled it. Oh, well, I just didn't say anything. Oh, there you go. I didn't know you were doing it. Um all right. After slipping up and revealing more than he intended, officers redirect the conversation to the accomplice he's been avoiding. So, when did you meet this person to get this guy's driver's license or his info, excuse me? When I was on my way to the to the bank. Today? Yeah. So, did he make the card or did you make the card? He made it. Okay. So, you How did you communicate with Chief? Usually by usually just call him. You just call him. So, he already had the info or Yeah. Okay, so that's where you That's how you paid 500 for it. Right. That's how you got it on the internet. He He gets it off the internet. That's where you got it from. So, do you You paid $500 for that or he paid $500? I paid $500 for it. Okay. So, when you go to these banks and and try attempt or are successful in getting all this money, what happens to it? Do you pay them some? You keep it all for yourself? Like, what's What's that plan? I try to keep it all for myself. What do you do with them? Try to invest. Yeah, you're living in a hotel, so that's not working very well, right? Nope. It's on the car. How long have you been doing this? Uh this long. Not Not very long at the bank. All right, so >> I'm I'm a carpenter by trade. And it just work got slow, dried up. Okay. Right, so that's what I'm asking you. So, when did this When did that start? >> When did When did it dry up? Earlier in the year. No, not this year. Just be honest. He keeps offering vague half answers, but the officers catch on quickly and make it clear that playing games won't help his case. So, here here's the deal. You're in this situation right now. Right as we sit here, you are the only one on the hook for whatever comes down on top of you, right? Correct. We're talking to you trying to find out with some sort of clarity or maybe some sort of honesty, I guess, or maybe Um I don't know the word sure what for, but we're given the opportunity to talk about this to potentially save other victims or find other people involved or whatever. And if you don't want to if you don't want to implicate anybody else or there's nobody else involved, that's fine. We're just trying to give you the opportunity to tell your story. And and and the stuff that you're telling us isn't making sense already. We haven't even gotten very far, but what you're saying isn't making any sense. It doesn't line up with anything. You've obviously been doing this longer than just today or this year or the end of last year. So, I'm trying to figure out how this all came about. If you were a carpenter and work started sucking and you're like, man, I got to survive. I got to make some money, then that's your story and I don't fault you for it. I just want to know your story. That's my story. Okay. When when Where were you working as a carpenter? In New York. How long ago did you leave New York? Earlier than like around the end of last year. Okay. And then where did you go from New York? Came [clears throat] down here. You went from Why did you pick Georgia? It's nicer. Than New York, well, obviously. Um It's a lot warmer, too. So, you So, you came down here and and what happened when you came down here? Did you come down here with the idea of doing this kind of stuff or or or like what was your plan? I really didn't have a plan. With little left to sort out, officers speak plainly about the penalties that come with his actions. How did you get into this? How did you find out about this? >> [snorts] >> Did I did some research. Used Google, how to make money? How to scam people? I need to understand something. Like I I like I get this is a quick buck for you and you try to to to turn your own life around, but you people's lives up when you do that. Okay. That That's plain and simple, right? I'm sure you've heard of stuff like that. I'm sure you've seen that probably first hand. You may have had a relative that has had their identity stolen. But now you're on the other side of it. You're the one that's doing that to people. I see what you're saying. So you can see where I We are passionate about working for our victims in this sense. Does that make sense? Yes. And the the the the least you can do is have the decency to just be honest with me in an interview and just tell me what the hell you're doing. So I can try and stop in the future cuz I've already got you. But my my whole situation on this is you Like he was saying, people Having somebody's identity stolen, I don't know if it's ever happened to you, but they have to go through a lot to get their stuff secured again. The officers make a final push for names, but it's clear he's not going to give them anything more to work with. The trail ends here. You know, worried about any retaliation? Anything like that? You give them any names, you think somebody's You give somebody's name, they're going to get you or whatever? I know they will. So there is other people involved. I mean, I can't do it all by myself. No, we know that. That's what we're trying to get something to go on here. Huh? Who was waiting in the parking lot? I got dropped off. Who was waiting nearby? You had no escape plan whatsoever. You just came to play that. You're pretty experienced at this by now. I was just going to wing it every time hoping you don't get arrested? Pretty much. What's the story against the kitchen? Single thing that's in your phone that has anything to do with something like this, you're getting charged with each individual thing. I hope you know that. Not a lot, I bet. And based off what [clears throat] I've gotten from the bank today, there's a bunch of other banks, the United Community Banks, from the last few days and last few weeks that are going to be charging you in other jurisdictions as well. So, even if you bond out here, you're just going to go there. No, there's not going to be bond. Yeah, yeah, even if you got one later and went through that whole So, we'll leave you our card. Uh if you want to ever want to help yourself at all, maybe you can reach out to one of us from the jail and now thing or something. Ask to speak with us if you decide to miraculously think of some more information. Okay? Any questions for me? Take a phone call? When you get to the >> When you get to the jail, man. All right, sit tight. We'll have you out of here in a few minutes, okay? Do you want any water or anything like that? Yes, please. Yeah, sure. You wouldn't happen to have a cigarette, would you? Uh I would not. After wrapping up their findings, officers charged the suspect with identity theft and forgery, [music] and further bank fraud investigations are still ongoing. Number two, Walmart scam artist finally gets caught. On February 23rd, 2022, officers headed to a Walmart following reports of a woman who fled after stealing merchandise. It doesn't take long before they find her. How you doing? My name's Officer Bronson with the Flowing Police Department. The reason I pulled you over today, do you know why? No. Walmart said you were stealing something. No, I haven't stolen anything. Okay. Did they try to talk to you or talk or stop or give you any brochures in here? No, I haven't done anything. Did you just leave Walmart? I saw you pull out of the Walmart parking Yeah, I pulled in there but I forgot I something. Okay. You got your driver's license with you, ma'am? No. You ain't got no license? It's in the One second here. Where do you stay at? Yeah. Okay. And you said So, you don't remember anything about Walmart stopping or anything like that. They said they made it very specific that it was a white female driving a black Jeep with your license plate. And that you left all the merchandise there but you didn't actually take anything. No, I had all of it in the and and I had forgot my bill. Oh, it's like I came back out there after. Okay. Did they think you was there a mistake maybe they thought you were stealing? Yeah, probably was. Okay. But, you didn't actually try to steal anything. >> No, no. I don't have anything. >> Okay. Yeah, that's what they said. You left everything there. So, let me let me write your name and I'll be right back. Can you shut your windows and stay warm, all right? While she tries to act unbothered, one surprising comment begins to unravel her stance. Listen, I'm going to be honest with you. I screwed up. I accidentally left billfold in there. I was I wanted to go out but I changed my So, I'm not 100% sure what they want to do yet. All they're going to do they're just going to drive by and see if it was you or not. You mind stepping out with me real quick? >> No. Okay. The only thing is my Your purse? No. Oh, it it's in there. Tell them I will pay them restitution. For your what? I will pay them for for everything. No, you said your What was left in there? My billfold. Your billfold? Because see, I made a total wrong call. >> Okay. That's fine. And I Did all screwed up. >> That's fine. Just go ahead and they just want to see you out here or whatever. Okay. Little bit chilly to have on shorts. Yeah, I don't know why. >> Cuz I didn't I Let's stand over here. Do you have anything in your pockets you're not supposed to have? No. Okay. I'll check for you, okay? You don't need to do any digging around there, okay? Uh just for the time being I'm going to put handcuffs behind you, okay? Just so that way I don't you have to run away or anything like that, okay? Oh, I would never run. Okay. I would never run. That's not me. Huh? No, I moved away. You were living here? So, what are we doing with this? Huh? Hey, look at that car for me. Tell them I screwed up. >> Well, they want to pursue charges, so you're under arrest for retail theft. Am I going to jail? You are. How much is Can I have my bail? Well, I think Didn't you just get out of prison for theft? I screwed up. I know. Well, I think this might be a felony, so. With the officer keeping things calm, she confesses and the officers transition straight into searching her car. Is there any chance of me off of off of Oh, my car's on. Okay, we'll We'll check it out. Is there any chance of me hopping and having to go? Do you want to bail? Is there any chance of me getting out? Not until a judge issues a bond amount on you. All right, I got to ask you over here. Is there anything in that car that's not supposed to be in there? No. Okay. What do you want from the car? Just my car keys. Okay, car keys. I'm going to get the tow sheet started. Do what? I'm going to get the tow sheet started and open the car. >> I'm doing an inventory. She's got a She's got court paperwork here in Franklin County, Illinois on probation for meth possession. And then she's got what looks like some little odds and ends like that. But yeah, so Yeah, there could be something in there. She doesn't have any teeth. Your wallet? I would imagine the other officer did. I can't imagine him not grabbing it. My wallet was in there. I didn't get All right. Yeah, but Yeah. You got her uh I have her wallet and that stuff. Good. I don't want What you say? Yeah, he's got your wallet. She's got her wallet, yeah. Yeah, you can have your wallet. Now that she's admitted to the theft, officers proceed with placing her under arrest. These are hard to get out of all day. This one's a little easier. >> There you go. Thank you, sir. Who are you talking to? Me? Yeah. I was always on a stake. On a stake? Yeah. I want to tell you the doors of the parking first guy. She was going to start calling. She was like uh She would know better, right? She would like to do restitution instead of getting arrested. Yeah. See you. With the suspect now on the way to the station, the remaining officer reminds his colleagues that their job is not done just yet. Do you have a graph two of that thing? Cuz there's going to be another one called in shortly. What is it? Uh I don't know. A Lexus of some sort. A Lexus? Yeah. Lexus. At least I can run the VIN number. Long as it ain't over there. They're at Hartman and 50th. Hartman and 50th? Okay. >> the street. Oh, you want me to go? >> Further investigation revealed that this wasn't the suspect's first shoplifting incident, so she was ultimately charged with felony retail theft. Number one, teenager's cereal scam run ends the moment officers catch up. On December 22nd, 2025, officers began searching for a group of teens reportedly involved in a shoplifting spree. When they finally catch up to them, things don't go as expected. We missing one more? There's four. You want to hold her? I don't Any other units needed? I got my girls and my money. Chicago priority. You want to split? Yeah. Right? We have There's three on Adams and then I guess there's another one in custody at the car. So, all Okay, breathe. I got six that I need you. Okay. Stand up straight and breathe in and out. You want to Cool. Yeah. Did you what? Your wallet? Where is it at? The middle part? Just here? Victor 94 is on. Pettis, are you? Huh? Clear the alley of all beings from You got your ID in there? Man. Really? Really? Now in custody, they look for ways to delay what's coming, but the officers handled the case without hesitation. Parked in the driver's spot? That's your ID there, right? That's you? Yes. Canon. You're not smiling in the picture. Smile in this one. Hayden? Hayden? Two of them? Yeah. We got two. Both of you You want to call somebody, right? And then Huh? Any of these your relatives? Who? You're all related? Who's the Who's the closest related? You got a sister? No. Okay, then you can come over here. You two ladies with me. Whose car's are these? Are these over here? We'll come. We'll come. >> cool. Driver is uh Yeah, she's driving. [ __ ] Car keys in her pocket. She admitted to me. I'mma put you in on the other side, all right? Watch your step, there's ice. >> [snorts] >> Can you get in? There you go. See both arms. What's up? What are you doing? What are you doing? You laying out? You don't know where your hands are, or else they'll get super tight, okay? See both arms. I'll get you out of here. Uh I don't know. Depends really on your history. Okay? I don't think you got a history. According to your job. >> [snorts] >> Officers proceed to search the vehicle, and what they uncover inside immediately raises the stakes. Yeah, no. We're walking up. This lady's up. Are you with the pain? I don't think so. What the pain? Really? >> [snorts] >> Car key? Batteries on the way, yeah. Yeah. 31 you got my keys. Yeah, we take it all. Everything. Yeah. Yep. That's all brilliant, isn't it? Is this TJ Maxx? Hey. Oak Brook. Oak Brook. TJ Maxx? Yeah. That's you. I'm not in Oak Brook. This is a TJ Maxx bag. I didn't even look to see. There's just so much Just popped the trunk. Total. Nothing, huh? Oh. No, let me I'm going to take a picture of it. As the stolen goods are collected, officers take a moment [music] to acknowledge how far this spree had gone. Oh, yeah. Where did you all go? I think they went on a shopping spree. A shoplifting spree. Cuz they just came out of Burlington. I think they got stuff from TJ Maxx and Well, TJ Maxx, Lombard closed it, didn't it? I mean And it's all free. Just leave it. Pull up a car and see marshals. Nope. Oh, there's a There's a TJ Maxx or something. Hill side? Yeah, and uh on if that's where it was, it was on Wolf and 290. Seated in the back of the cruiser, the weight of what just happened finally starts to sink in. I do not look good in orange. We finna go to the real jail, like in there. We finna go to DuPage, Lord. DuPage finna And we got all our stuff. Kiki, I should get them all on the phone. I'm finna call my momma and tell her to call Gregory. Gregory's finna bond me out, boy. Girl, if I can't get bonded out, just I need to call Marquis. I need to call my babe. I need to call Tay. I'm I'm finna just have Will we be able to get bonded out today or Well, it's a unknown That's an unknown answer right now. I wish I could give you an answer, but there's too many variables that played into part. I will tell you this, if you would have not fled from the police, you would have had a better chance of getting out today and being home for Christmas. But because all of you fled, All cuz we were running? Say that again? >> Y'all counting us running? Like on our feet? >> but I'm blowing stop signs, running through the center of town? Here, like that guy said, I mean, I I hate to say it. I actually I love to say it. DuPage doesn't mess around. They They The The The The The state's attorney ain't messing around. So, I don't know. When they hear the story, they got to make a decision. I can't give you a solid answer, but like that guy said, DuPage County doesn't mess around. >> [snorts] >> You know, I mean. What do we do? My phone up. All right, man. I'm about to curse you out. Nobody We here and talked to us in a minute. Phone going to voicemail. He know. The car not called them to see where in the house. You may be in the house. Ain't house on the phone. You know we got caught. During transport, it's clear that some are processing it better than others. A lot of people probably probably probably I I can't I can't I I Yeah. He going to have no car no more. He over there like 3 minutes. He going to have to ride with his uncle. That's why I was trying to talk. He [ __ ] you know what I'm saying? That way he could ride with his uncle. Bro, cuz he ain't finna hear the last stop. He not finna hear the last stop, you like I'm I'm some type of just call him and tell him to just give him a ride, baby. Like, if he is [ __ ] then it's like I can't get him back inside. Now, he don't got no car. And depending on how much they finna charge, they finna tow it. And then, I'm going to have to do the appeal to get it back. Hopefully, I can do the appeal, but I never went to jail for nothing like this. I never I just went to jail for a traffic stop. And that gone after that. All that. I'm cool. This is the last thing I can get him out. [ __ ] >> The investigation revealed that the suspects stole from multiple stores in the area. So, with that, each and every one of them got charged with felony retail theft. Think they'll be back at it again? Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below, and I'll see you in the following video.