A woman walks into a check cash encounter with $8,600 on the line and she has no idea two patrol cars are already circling the parking lot. On July 10th, 2023, officers with the Anna Police Department were called out after a woman tried to cash a check that did not belong to her. This was not her first attempt, and it was not the first time this exact account had been hit. The check had been stolen straight out of a mailbox washed clean and rewritten for thousands of dollars. In plain terms, that is forgery altering a financial instrument with intent to defraud. This same account had already been drained once before for $15,000 under a completely different name. This attempt 8,600 more. The account holder had never approved a scent of it. >> Hello. >> Hey, how you doing? >> Corporal Deb at this police department. The reason I pulled you over here is cuz your passenger is listed suspect for some fraudulent activity that's going on in this. >> No, you probably general right now. >> That's not um I'm going to need your passenger's ID and yours. Here you go, Matt. >> Thank you, man. >> Thank you, man. If y'all just sit tight for me, I'll be right back with you. Okay. >> Okay. >> Hopefully, I'll be able to let y'all go in just a minute. >> Okay. >> All right. I got the suspect in this car. She's in the passenger seat as soon as I pulled up. >> Hello. This is Corporal Debbie at the Police Department. I'm trying to talk to Mr. Robert about a stolen truck. >> Absolutely. Can you kind of explain to me what's going on today, sir? >> I put it in the mail. I bailed him from the post office and they deposited with tried to deposit Chase Bank, >> but they called me and I told them I was a fake. >> Person has walked into discount check casher and um is trying to cash it there. >> Absolutely. All righty. Um would you like to press charges? >> Yes, sir. >> Absolutely. Thank you, sir. And I'll be with you shortly. So, that was the owner of the check. He's confirmed that he had it stolen out of his mailbox and they've been making copies of it, washing them and re getting them issued, but he hasn't authorized any check for this lady. >> Where is he at? >> Florida. >> Florida. >> Yeah. >> Stole it out of Florida. >> So, it got stolen somewhere and a lot of this is happening to a lot of people's checks are getting stolen while in transition in Jacksonville cuz all the mail in Savannah goes to Jacksonville. >> Jacksonville. Um, so I'm going to follow up with clerks up here to get what I need from them. He's already said he's unauthorized. That's enough to put her in handcuffs right now, isn't it? Probably have forensics if they want to talk to her. I got two individuals out here. Can we get a third officer in route to stick with them? >> She came in with that check and I called the maker. I called the phone number on the check and he said he said she stole I don't know what happened. >> She said she applied for a job on the internet. >> Okay. >> So she obviously put it into her bank. They sent that back to her as a legal document. >> This one >> that's just a copy. >> Okay. >> Right. Right. That right down there. That's the check. >> That's the legal copy of of the check. So, he said it was fraud that someone took a check or somehow got a check or whatever and cashed one for $15,000 and they took this check and redid it or I don't know what he was saying, but she presented it. That's her ID. Um, that's her parents' name that she gave me and that's all information I could tell you. >> Absolutely. >> And she left. >> Is there a reason she ran out of here? Did she give you anything? She she was pretty cool and calm and collected for 5 or 10 12 15 minutes and then I guess I was talking to the man and we had a couple other people come in and you know I was telling her I was getting the money together and I had to wait to get the final approval. She waited a couple more minutes and then all of a sudden she left she got called away or something by somebody in a car. It was a blue Nissan. I didn't get the tag. She she got told by something you better come down, >> right? >> For some reason. >> It's cuz they seen me pull up. I got them both in handcuffs over there. >> You do? >> H what? >> How'd you do that? >> Cuz I got here fast enough. >> I seen her run out the store. >> You did? She's in a green outfit. >> Head wrapped up. >> That's amazing. >> What is your name again? >> Corporal Deb. >> We want Deb. >> We want you. >> Do you have your ID for the report, sir? >> What? >> Can I get your ID for the report? Yeah, >> you're not resting. Go out there. >> She remembers me. We caught the last guy. >> Ma'am, can you turn your vehicle off for me? >> Of course. >> Just procedure. That's all. >> Okay. It's hot outside though. >> Yeah. Roll your windows down. >> No, it's very hot. >> That's what I'm saying. You can roll your windows down if you want to. But thank you for doing that though. >> Yeah, it is hot. It's July. Think of July day. It is hot. But yeah, it's just protocol. That's all. Okay. All right. >> And then I thought the Savannah police were slack. >> You was you redeemed my my my faith. And >> you said what? >> I heard it. >> No, not only did he hear it, but you know, we we you were out there wrestling and we said, "What's taking them so long?" >> You were out there wrestling them. >> Absolutely. >> What's a good phone number for you guys? >> It's funny, too. She has two IDs. She had another idea on >> they did cash a $15,000 check on his account under a different name. >> So, we might contact him and find out who it was. Maybe it's the same. >> I'll be checking. >> We can't get a hold of financial grounds. We're just going to have to arrest him. Passenger walks up under there, tries to cash a check for $8,600. They're getting it processed. They contact the owner. >> They call the verified owner, says it's stolen. It's the same checks been washed and cast two different times before this. Um, he has given no authorization for this such person to have >> Oh, I didn't know you had it. >> Yeah. >> Um, I got detectives coming to the scene >> right now. We're going to be separating you two. >> You're detained. You're not under arrest, but you're allowed to stay in your vehicle if you so choose. Okay. >> Okay. >> Being detained. Okay. >> It's not a search. It's a pat down. It's just to make sure you don't have any weapons or anything like that on >> being detained. That's all not one of us. >> Once they get here, they're going to have a couple of questions to ask you and then they'll probably let you get out of here. Okay. >> Okay. >> They same thing. They're going to ask her a bunch of questions and then >> depending on how she answers them and what else is going on. >> The clerk did not hesitate. He called the number printed on the check himself and reached the real owner. By the time officers arrived, the answer was already clear. Unauthorized. Full stop. The suspect did not wait around to hear it. She walked out of the store and got into a waiting car. She did not get far. Officers had eyes on that car within minutes. Both women, the one holding the check and the one behind the wheel, were already in handcuffs before backup had even finished pulling in. Neither woman had been placed under arrest, yet only detained, which meant officers could keep asking questions without reading Miranda rights first. Under Miranda versus Arizona 1966 and Burkimer versus McCarti 1984, Miranda warnings only apply once a suspect is in custody for interrogation. A roadside detention does not meet that bar yet. So everything said next could still be used later and there was a lot said street. >> I was just I didn't know anything about this. >> All righty. Um well the call that we got is that bad checks were being passed through >> through like we're there. >> Mhm. Is that illegal fraudulently made checks were being >> trying to be cashed by the young lady that was in your passenger seat. >> Oh wow. um for very significant amounts. So, >> okay. >> Um $86,000 $8,600. >> We gonna do one count of 334 is a felony. She'll be arraigned tomorrow. >> This has been going on bad for a while now. >> Hey, Elijah. >> You know me. >> No, I got your ID. >> Listen, what y'all doing, man? >> I just break. >> You know what? What's your relationship to her? >> She my friend. >> What's her um Gabrielle? >> Yeah, she my friend. How long y'all been friends? Long time. What? Since little kids. High school. >> Yeah. Like we went to school together. >> I'm just asking cuz your friend about to go to jail. >> Why she going to jail for? >> Cuz that check is fake and she It's not her check. She's going to jail and it's a felony. That's why I'm asking. Cuz she's not getting out. She's going to go to jail and can't get out till tomorrow. And that's if the judge give her bond. So that's why I'm asking cuz I need to know who I need to tell this to. So if you're not the person I need to be talking to and you just giving her a ride, then I don't need to be talking to you. That's my ass. >> Yeah, I literally just grab her up here. >> Okay. Do you know anything about this? The check. >> I just give her a ride. >> Huh? >> I just told her I give her a ride cuz I'm coming in town, but I'm actually about to go out >> into the mall. >> So, you don't know nothing about how she got this check or where she got this check from? >> Well, you're not under arrest, okay? But just just know I got you. Be careful, okay? If those checks don't belong to you, these people are calling. Okay? So, you just don't get caught up. All right? Okay. But you free to go. >> What are you going to do about >> I just told you she going to jail? >> Hey, how you doing? Look, I'mma open the door cuz I need to talk. Gabrielle, do you want to you want to talk to me and tell me what's going on? >> So, >> yes or no first before we get started. You want to talk to me? >> Yes, that's >> okay. Go ahead. So basically um I tried to that check was getting deposited into my Chase. Chase sent me that paper that he gave you saying that it was a deposit of my not enough money. I wasn't understanding what that meant. So my home girl was like, "Well, let's cash it either at this one or Walmart." >> This this who gave you this? You went to the bank? >> No. Yeah, the bank sent me this. And also >> when did they send you this? On this day? >> Um no, not >> enough funds to pay this check. You cannot deposit this. They sent they sent this to you cuz this was >> that was that was the deposit date. >> Yeah, you tried to deposit on June the 26th and they said it wasn't enough. >> Yeah, it was getting deposit in my account that day and then it sent but then they sent me that like maybe like last week like maybe last week Friday >> and then you got a check back. >> Yeah, I got that check and this paper together. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> And they told you that not enough funds to pay this check. You cannot you can deposit it again. >> So that's why I went up to there to >> So you wasn't going back to the bank to cash it. you was going to go over here. Yeah, >> cuz they said it wasn't you couldn't cash it. >> Well, he said I was able to. He said, >> "No, I'm saying the bank said you couldn't." >> Yeah. So, the bank since the bank said I couldn't cash it, I was going to go to here or either Walmart to cash it. And the man was like, "Okay, well, it was fine." He was asking me questions. And the next thing you know, I walk up to the car to my home girl car. And she's like, "Well, I'm like, well, hold on. I got to go to Dollar General real quick to get something cuz he said it's going to be a while. It's a lot of cash." I said, "Okay, that's fine." When we pulling up, he's pulling up behind us saying that I'm doing for fraud. So, I'm like, "Okay, well, I got that from the mail." >> You got this from the mail? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Who is Who are the people? Who are these people? >> That's the company that I work for. But that is my name on the check. Yes. >> The company you work for? >> No, that's the company. This is the company that I work for. Yes. >> The Girl Crane Services, Inc.? Yes. >> Where is that located? >> It's located all the way in Puller. Well, it's one It's one in Puller and then it's one um around the corner, but I work at the one all the way in Puller and I work at top. >> You have check stubs on you? No, I don't. >> You have an ID or something saying you work there? >> I don't have ID. >> Do you have a number of a manager or something that we can call to check to see if you work there? >> No, I don't have a I mean, I can't call the manager. The manager doesn't really We text in a group chat. I don't never really call the manager. >> I'm saying who can confirm that you work there? That's what I'm trying to figure out. Who's there that we can talk to? >> Nobody there right now that um I can talk to personally. No, not right now. But I do also work at Top Crab as well. >> And why would they give you a check for $8,600? That was my check that they owed me back all the way in co because they were behind on the checks and I they owed me that check. I stopped working all last year for them and I started working at top crab and they owed me the check during co time. >> And they mailed you this check? >> Yeah, that's what they claimed. They No, they didn't mail me this check. They tried to do it in my deposit. I opened up a Chase account so they could deposit that money in my account. But when they tried to deposit it, that's when I received >> Who tried to deposit? I guess when the uh the company tried to deposit in my account that I received the email saying that the check was returned back. >> The company not going to send a check to the bank like this. They just do direct deposit. >> Yeah, direct deposit. >> But they didn't they didn't they're not going to give them this check. >> That's the check that they sent me. >> They you say they sent it to you or they sent to the bank. >> They they they tried to do direct deposit in my Chase and then I received the email saying that it's not going to do it. So then I received that check and that paper together saying with my trace on it saying that you >> So you don't have I'm saying when the last time you went to work at this place in Pula? >> Last time I went to work was last Sunday cuz I >> What's the address there? >> The address? >> Yeah, >> it's Puler um on Bluffton Boulevard. >> I know. I say how what's the address? How long you been working there? >> I just started back working this week. Well, not like well not this week but sometime a couple months ago. >> You you story Come on now. Your story not making sense. You all over the place. I'm not lying. Y'all making me really nervous. >> I'm not trying to I'm not trying to make you nervous. I'm just trying to just get the truth, let alone >> I'm just trying to get the truth because I mean I understand you saying you they owe you this check or whatever, but this this person that we contacted say they didn't give you this check. They didn't they don't know nothing. They don't know nothing about you. We talked to them already. That's what I'm trying to tell you. That's what I'm trying to tell you. To tell me the truth. It's already it's nothing you can say right now is going to change the situation. And I'm just asking you to give yourself a chance to tell me the truth because you're going to have to still go before the judge. So either you going to tell me the truth and be straight up with me or we could just go ahead and end it right now because we talked to the people that own this account. >> They don't know you. You don't work for them. Can you just you want to tell me the truth or you you you good with what you said already? >> So the check was sent to me. So I was trying So the So somebody So I was trying to get a direct deposit in my account. That didn't go through. They sent me a check. >> Who is they? That's that's I don't know who did the check to be completely honest but that that check went into my account. When I go received that they said deposit it again. So I try to deposit at that place or they >> who I don't know who they is. I I personally do not know who they is. I'm not sure who who made the check or who whatever the case may be. But I'm not sure who they is. >> So somebody just deposited a check into your account. You don't know who they are because these people that that name that's on this account don't know you. You don't work for them. That's what I'm trying to tell you to go ahead and be honest because what you're saying I don't believe. >> So if you you don't want to tell me the truth. I mean I'm going by what they say. This is their account. >> This their business. >> I know that check is not mine. >> Okay. >> Somebody that I know of was trying to deposit a check into my account saying that this is my money. This this is this is the money that they owe me. When the check didn't go through it they said I was going to receive it through the mail. I said okay. They they I was talking to them and they said hey well you can deposit again. When I seen that it said I could deposit again. them. You don't want to tell the person there. They're a friend of yours. >> Yes, they are. >> They are. So, >> well, supposedly. >> So, you going to take this ride by yourself? You going to take this felony hit by yourself? This is a felony. >> Do you go to school? >> No, but I was trying to. >> This a felony. This is serious. This is This is This is a felony. And you won't be able to get out of jail till tomorrow if the judge give you a bond. So, you want to you want to protect the person that gave you this fake check? That's crazy. That's so crazy to me that you were willing to do that. >> So, I am going to jail. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. You're going to go to jail for a check that you somebody that you know somebody gave you a fake check, put your name on here, and told you to go cash it, and you did it. So, you don't want to give up that information. >> It is the driver. >> H >> the driver. >> Who else? The driver? What driver? >> Alia. >> Allayia. She gave you this check. >> Yeah. Hm. >> The check she was trying to deposit into my Chase account, but since it didn't go through, she told me to go to the >> How often y'all do this? >> This is my first time. I >> She do it all the time. >> Not that I know of. I don't know. I personally >> How close are you to her? >> We me and her went to school together, but we had conversations. >> What was What were you supposed to give her out this check? >> Um, I'm not sure. I personally don't know. We were >> Well, I mean, what agreement y'all had? You I'm >> She said it was so called split down the middle. Soal. >> She said you can cash it. She all going to split. >> Yeah, that's what she >> You don't know where she got this information from? >> Who who who is her source? I don't know. >> You don't know? >> I'm so sorry. >> But I just talked to her. She She She left you out there to drive. >> I believe it. >> She said she don't know nothing about it. She don't know. She She don't know you like that. She had nothing to do with that check. She willing to let me look at her car, search your purse, say she don't have no other checks in there. She don't know nothing about what you doing. There's nothing I can do. There's nothing I can do. >> I have to go. Yeah. So, he going to take you and you going to get charged with one one count of thirdderee forgery. It's a felony. Okay. You ready? All right. Wait. Stand right here. Put your hands up on me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. >> All right. I'm good to go. Good luck to you. Okay. >> Thank you for appreciate it. You good? >> Thank you, man. Appreciate you. >> First, it was a company that owed her back pay from the pandemic. then a direct deposit that failed. Then a mailed check that somehow matched a stranger's bank account instead of her own. The story changed almost every time she told it. Officers had already confirmed the account holder had never heard of her. No job, no paycheck, no connection at all. Eventually, the story fell apart completely. She admitted the check came from the friend behind the wheel with a plan to split the cash down the middle. That friend told a different story and let officers search her car and her purse. Nothing came back. A consent search like that only holds up in court because it is voluntary. No warrant needed, no probable cause required once someone agrees to it freely. One woman walked away clean. The other put her hands behind her back. She was charged with one count of thirdderee forgery, a felony carrying up to 5 years in prison. Lesson here, a rewritten check and a shifting backstory. Do not survive one phone call to the real account holder. Once officers verify unauthorized, the story is already over. Grade for the officers an A. They verified before acting secured consent before searching and let the inconsistencies do the rest of the work. Great for the suspect in F. Three different explanations and each one made the case stronger, not weaker. If you want more body cam footage, the moment suspects never expect to end up on camera, hit subscribe. We post every week. Drop a comment. What do you think the sentence should be? We will see you in the next