Your story is so wild that when you have to sit before before a judge and a jury, they might laugh. >> Okay. >> On this ride along, an officer gets a pat on the shoulder, another finds a sweet riding lawnmower, and a man makes some copies. On February 7th, 2025, officers in Tallahassee, Florida were dispatched to a pawn shop after some people tried cashing over a hundred thousand dollars in stolen US Treasury checks. >> Is that Challenger right there is part of it? >> Okay. Is there anybody else in the store? >> They're in the jewelry all of them in the jewelry room right now. There's two big individuals and a lady. They're all in the jewelry room. >> Cool. Let me get someone to the store. We got three people inside. >> The officers didn't know it yet, but one of the men involved had come from Columbus, Ohio, traveling 800 miles to get to this particular shop. >> They're all in the jewelry room right now. They're in the back room. >> Now. >> In the jewelry room? >> They're all in the jewelry room. I think that's one of them that's at the front counter. He's right there with two other guys. No, no, that's that's not him. They're all in the jewelry room. >> One already saw me. >> Yeah. That's the mobile. He's in there. >> What's up, man? >> Okay, dog. >> How are you? >> All right. >> Who are you here with? >> They're um They're um They're um >> You repeat. Sit over here. Where? Put your hands behind your back. >> Put your hands behind your back. >> Arms away from your body. >> Why you detaining them as well? >> Detaining them. >> We're going to secure them two males now. We are trying to find the female involved. >> Copy. >> See this? >> Can you >> Are there any back doors? >> do you? >> How many people were there with >> What was she wearing? >> Black tracksuit. >> At least we're not sure where the female is. Black tracksuit for the information we have. >> While it was initially thought the female suspect had been in the bathroom, she now seemed to have vanished. >> I didn't see anybody in the parking lot. >> Then we go back to the back. Is there a female you were with? >> I wasn't with a female. This is what happened. >> Is that your car? >> This is my car. >> Okay. I'm going to sit you down, but I'm going to leave the door open. Just face me. >> Yeah, we're looking for a black tracksuit. >> You wanted to say something to me? >> I didn't say anything. >> You said something. You said this is what happened. >> Oh, no. I'm saying these people called me and asked me could I get the people that we were in there with. Cuz you put me in You put your hand on me. >> the other big guy? That you're here you're here with him? >> I'm not with them. I brought them here though. They called me asked me could I get a check cash for them. So I called Formosa asked him could he cash it. He said yes. So I showed the big guys where Formosa was. That's what happened. >> Where's the female that left y'all? >> I don't know where she is. She's in the bathroom. >> She's in the bathroom? And where's the bathroom? Can you rub check? Check. >> She's going in and out of the truck. >> You don't have to give me your watch. >> Yeah. >> It's a phone video. >> Yeah, are you getting ready now? >> Yeah, I'm ready. Can you push my glasses up on my face, please? Thank you. >> Do me a favor, have a seat right here for me. This is going to be a lot comfortable in the back seat of my truck. >> Thank you. I don't have no checks. I ain't seen no checks or nothing. >> Okay. So, you >> All I know is I called him and told him >> You're just the wheels. >> No, no, I'm not even the wheels. I'm just I'm showing them. >> You're just like a a middleman. >> I called him and told them >> I got you. >> They asked me did I know where the cash was at and I called Forman and Forman said he could do it. >> Okay. >> They're not from here, so >> Where they from, do you know? >> I don't know where they they from. >> All right. Scooch in. You live in Ohio currently? >> Mhm. >> What brought you to Atlanta? >> We actually down here on vacation. >> Okay. >> I came down here. >> What have y'all done so far? >> I just came down to see my brother. >> You got family here? >> My well, I call him my brother. I went to school with him. >> Do you know the amount of the check was? >> It was like 119,000 total. >> $119,000? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> 69 or something, whatever they said. I don't know exactly. I haven't seen no check. I hadn't seen nothing like But I called Forman and asked them At first I was like, damn. So, I called Forman and he said he could do it. So >> Okay. >> They came from wherever the hell they was at. And they came here. And this morning they said, "Well, meet us at such and such spot." And I followed them Well, I showed them how to get here. >> Where did you meet them? >> We met in Valdosta. >> Okay. Have you been made aware of your constitutional rights? The Miranda warning and [ __ ] Okay. That was all that you did. >> That's it. I ain't did nothing. >> You have no check. You ain't pass >> No, I ain't got no check. I ain't I ain't doing I ain't got no check. I don't even get that. Yeah. >> Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now? Regarding this investigation we are currently conducting. >> I don't even know what I mean you conducting. >> Okay. Well, do you have Do you have questions for me? I mean >> Well, I'm with him. >> Tell me something. >> I'm with him. I don't know what's going on. >> Okay. I I have an idea. >> Why ain't you telling us who this kind of phone is? >> No, this this the police phone. >> 600 I did have a lot of his on it. >> Why you in trouble? >> He'll tell >> No, they The boys that Remember I told you I was taking you boys to come cash this [ __ ] >> Yeah. >> The checks they had, I guess was something got to be wrong with them. >> So what they say you doing What they doing to you? >> No, they just got me detained until they get it figured out. Like I said, they know that I ain't got [ __ ] to do with it though, but But I just called to let you know to get the kids. Cuz I won't be back until about 2:30. >> Okay. >> All right. >> That's crazy. >> So basically this is what we have. We have this little Someone came here and attempted to cash a fraudulent check or stolen check using a fraudulent ID. Um you have been identified as a person as being involved with that person. Were you attempted to Were you involved in the lady trying to cash the check? >> I wasn't involved, but I just met her today. >> You met her today? What was she trying to do? >> She was trying to cash a check when we walked in. >> Okay. Were you Were you aware of what kind of check it was? >> No. >> Were you aware of how much the check was? >> No. >> Okay. Why are you Why were you with her? >> No, I just saw that she was here when I walked in. >> So you don't know who she is? >> No, I just met her today with through TJ. >> Okay. What What was your purpose of being here? >> To cash a check. >> You You cashing a check as well? >> Yeah. >> Where is the check? >> They have it. >> Okay. >> He looked at it and then next thing I know I went to buy a watch and then you guys walked in. >> Buy a watch from here? >> Yeah. >> So based on what you just said, you just attempted to cash a check with a fraudulent ID. >> My >> You came. Now that check that that TJ gave you >> Mhm. >> does not belong to you. He gave it to you and asked you to cash it. >> Right. >> Okay. And what were you supposed to do after you cash the check? >> Give the money to him. >> Okay. How much is the check? >> I I have no clue. >> Okay. How much were you supposed to get in return? >> I wasn't getting anything. I wasn't getting anything besides my girlfriend and my son being safe. >> What do you mean you mean by that? >> They was supposed to have somebody sitting outside of my house in Ohio. They said if I didn't do it, then they was going to take care of them. >> Hey, the guy who was in this Challenger, not the one that left, but the other guy I have in the jumpsuit, you know I'm talking about? >> You may not know but yet he was the driver of this car. >> Uh black uh sweatshirt with a Air Jordan symbol on it. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> What was his involvement? >> Well, he was just there with them supervising, but he he did come inside. >> Yeah, okay. >> But he didn't pass the check or anything? >> Not that I saw, no, sir. >> Because of this, the officers would eventually release the man. >> Your family, I want to make sure they safe. When was the last time you spoke to Is it your wife and your kids? >> My girlfriend, yeah. >> When was the last time you spoke to her? >> I spoke to her maybe about an hour ago. >> Is she okay? >> Yeah, she at the house. >> Is she aware what's going on? >> No. >> Okay, what is her name, phone number, and address? >> The address is my address. >> I ain't going to lie. >> So so this address here Let me let me see wifey. You can FaceTime her. Is she Is she here in Tallahassee? >> No, she's in Ohio. >> Okay. >> Hey, baby. Everything okay? Can you look outside? I'm here with Tell the LCPD they want to make sure that you're safe. Make sure They want to make sure you're safe. That the dude didn't send nobody over there to [ __ ] with you. Remember you asked why I was born out of town, I couldn't tell you? >> Yeah. >> Yeah yeah, me coming down here to try to cash a fraudulent check. Yeah. >> So what are they >> I just want to I just want to see your face and make sure you're safe. >> I'm okay. So, it might be a police officer pulling up later just to make sure you guys But, you asked me why I had to leave so soon, this is why. >> Wow. >> Well, I didn't want y'all I didn't want y'all to get injured. You were the kids, so. I'll be calling back shortly. I'll call you back shortly, okay? Love you. Good night. >> It ain't even worth it, bro. No, it ain't. I ain't killing nobody. I ain't even getting no money. I just getting the I ain't [ __ ] with my life. My my girlfriend and her kids are going to be >> So, he he told you that if you don't assist him, he will he'll hurt your your family? >> He did it with the dude I was in the back seat of the Charger. He challenged me. So, this right here I see this whole thing okay. The only thing that was running through my head was I said Bad bad situation. >> Let me take this risk. >> Huh? >> I said, let me take this risk and jeopardize what I got. So, I don't be there for my family. >> The man was eventually taken to the police department where he would talk with detectives about the case. >> The dude TJ, how long have you known TJ? >> Uh didn't know TJ previously until last summer. We got into it. And it's been hell ever since. >> So, you met TJ got into it over what? >> We I used to bounce at at the club. >> So, you met him in a bounce capacity? >> No, I threw him out. >> So, you threw TJ out of the club? >> Mhm. >> Now, since you met him last summer, what was it? How many times have y'all interacted with each other? >> He's pulled up to my house say probably about 10 15 times. >> How did he find out where you lived at? >> Cuz I work on cars. >> Okay. >> So, yeah. So, I don't know one of his people he sent to him for me to find out. But, he would stop by the house. I'm like, "What the hell are you doing here? My girl and her kids here." Cuz I just want to let you know that I still I got you. I'm like, "What do you mean got me?" He said, "You know when I make that call you'll know." I'm like, >> And it's all because you threw him out of the club. >> Yeah. Well, I beat him up, but uh All right. I mean, he shot at us that night. >> The night you threw him out. >> Mhm. >> Did you file a police report? >> Yeah, it should have been all right. >> You mean you did? >> Oh, me personally, no. I think the body that I work security at did. >> What were you documented as a victim in? >> No. >> And so, if we fast forward all the way to yesterday, he showed to your house with two other dudes, and you get in, and y'all head to Georgia. >> Yeah. I I told him >> about that. >> My girl she uh she was like she was like, "Where you finna go?" Cuz she seen the the van pull up. And she said, "Where you finna go?" I said, "I got to make a move. Can't tell you, but I'll be back." >> Did they call you and tell you they were coming? >> No. That's the funny part. >> So, you ain't even packed. >> I ain't No, what you what you see me is what I left here. >> What do you mean by you had to make a move, though? That seemed like you knew something was about to happen. >> Cuz TJ said if I do anything to it when he when he make that call, don't tell nobody, or stuff will happen. And my girlfriend and her kids will be staying with me. >> What do you mean he Did he call you? >> No. When I talked to him before, like he called me a couple times before. But, it was always "I know what you're doing." And that's all he would say and hang up the phone, and it'd be random numbers. >> he said, "You you know what you're doing? What you doing?" >> That That's what I was doing. The only thing I do is work on cars in my house. >> So prior to him picking you up yesterday, he would make phone calls to you. >> It'd be random numbers. >> I know what you doing. >> Yep. >> Then all of a sudden he just show up unannounced yesterday. >> Yeah, yesterday. >> To pick you up with two dudes in the backseat. >> Yep. >> Tell me about that. >> I was sitting on the couch. Door door knock I heard the door knock. I answered it. Like What you doing here? Cuz I said go and get in the car. Told my girlfriend said I'll be back. Just know I'm good. Cuz she don't know what's going on. >> At any point did you know what you was about to go do? >> No. >> He never told you? >> Never told me. >> Was there any conversation in the car? >> We wasn't talking about nothing. >> talking about anything. >> I sat just like this with my seatbelt on. Cuz the two dudes behind me, one had like uh I want to say it was a like a Glock. And the other dude had like a silver revolver. >> Okay. You see these guns. How do you see these guns? Where are these guns at? >> They on their lap. When I when I got in the van, I looked back and I seen both of them right there. And I'm like, oh [ __ ] And he was like get in the car. >> So you was kidnapped at gun not at gunpoint, but you was >> Right. >> And the gun was presented to you. And you saying you was in fear so you went with it. >> Yeah, I went with it. >> So you you do realize obviously you do. You were you were attempting to whether he tell the truth or not completely separate yourself from any wrongdoing. >> Oh no, I take responsibility for walking in trying to cash this. >> Oh no, no. But see what you saying you did it under duress. >> Oh yeah, I didn't want to do that. >> It's a It's a cool story and I ain't saying you lying. I'm just saying that's what's happening. You trying to completely separate yourself from any wrongdoing at all. >> Right. I mean but the guy was like you getting paid off or I'm like I don't get paid off of nothing. >> But there's also Well, things there's other aspects where you It sound like you had full control of your phone the entire trip. >> At any point you could have told your your girlfriend, "Hey, this what's going on." >> What the detective seems to be getting at here is that the man had reasonable opportunity to seek help during the long drive. For duress to be a valid defense under Florida jury instruction 3.6K, the threat must be imminent and impending. Does this threat fail the imminence test? Let us know in the comments. >> You could have told him, "Listen, they got me at gunpoint. They're taking me I don't know >> where. Don't call the police." >> It don't even sound like you did that. >> Cuz you could have asked my girl every time I FaceTimed her, the dude was behind me. And I FaceTimed her and I was just talking to her like this. And I made it to I made it seem to her like I was just going down here just normally. >> For what though? Like if I'm your girlfriend, I'm going to be like, >> want her to know what I'm doing. I don't want If she did, she cussed me up one one tree and down the other, trust me. But I He said somebody was going to be riding past my house. When the guy when the police officer asked me if I could make a call, I said, "Can I please FaceTime my girlfriend?" I said, "Can you go outside and make Can you look out the window and make sure there's nothing in front of the house?" And she said there's nothing out there. I said, "Okay, cool." And then he said he was going to see if they could get a contact with Columbus PD to see if they could ride by and check on the house for me. >> I help us to identify T.J. How would you do that? So, this is somebody you dealt with in the on the club scene mostly. >> Yeah, he Well, he cut his dreads off. Only thing I know is he a big-time baller. That's all I know. Every time he used to come in, he'll buy he'll come in with bottles. >> Who you know that knows his real name? >> Nobody. Everybody called him T.J. I don't know if it's what it stand for, if it's Todd or Cuz on the on the Everybody there is always just nicknames. >> The conversation would eventually move to the man's involvement with the check-cashing scam. >> The issue that I have with this is that you drive 18 hours or however long it takes to get from Ohio down to Tallahassee. You meet these people you don't know and they just by a miracle have an ID that has a picture of you with the same frames you're wearing now and all your personal information, your date of birth, all this stuff. How did that happen? >> This I have no idea cuz I don't know none of this on Ronald, whoever he is. >> Right, you're they're they're actually having you pretend to be somebody else. >> Right. Like I said, I didn't know that until >> But how did they get the image? >> That's what we're trying to figure out. Like where did that picture is you? >> Right. You know you better than anybody. You should be able to tell us where you took that picture at. >> I take pictures all the time. >> Yeah, but you you take mugshot license style pictures? >> No, I don't. Only time I do those is like when I'm taking a selfie. >> That's not a selfie, though. >> Yeah. >> I think there's more to this, Justin. >> It got to be. It don't make no sense. >> Mhm. >> Where did he get that picture from? >> I'm telling you what I know. >> It would later come out that the man did know how they got his personal information and photo. >> But it was TJ who took the picture with his phone of you and her. >> he had his regular phone. >> Okay, did they have like a screen or something that you sit in front of? >> No, it was the wall. >> At that point did you realize like did you know what was going on? Did they fill you in? >> No. I didn't know nothing about it until I hit Fowlers. >> Why did you think you were taking a picture of me? I asked. >> Huh? >> Why did you think you were taking a picture? >> No, I didn't. >> I said, why did you think you were taking a picture? >> Because we was in we was in the bedroom. I don't know what I'm finna say [ __ ] with them out there smoking and whatever they was doing. And then that's where he he he took it on his phone. We sat there for a second. >> You recording? >> And then we rolled out. >> Fowlers is a hot spot right now with this type of thing for treasury checks. This is probably the sixth or seventh case that we've worked with treasury checks at Farmers. No other store, no other pawn shop, no other business in this city gets treasury checks, fake treasury checks, real treasury checks, where people are trying to pass them off as theirs, all right? No other store, no other business. So, this we're familiar with. The The way that you The part that you play in this we're not familiar with. >> Right. >> So, it comes off as if you've created a story to protect yourself. >> I don't have nothing to protect myself from besides making sure my girlfriend and the kids are squared away. >> Well, the officer is working on that, but these are federal checks. >> And these like I said, the guy in the Challenger handed him a a FedEx white envelope. >> how it's done, yep. >> And then when he got back in the car he he he opened it up and he said, "Here you go. Here's this." And gave her ID to the other chick. >> Right. But every time we've worked this case the people who are coming in to utter these checks are active participants in this because they're going to get a cut if they get the money out. >> I wish I would have known that it was worth that much money. >> Why? >> Because I would get a cut. We go fight $37,000? >> But that's not your money. >> Listen. >> And you got kidnapped. >> Listen. $37,000? >> I would have made some made some shake with 37,000. I would have put something on it. >> that that contradicts everything that you told me. >> Listen. >> You told us that you got kidnapped. Now you're saying if you would have known how much it was, you you would have made sure that you got a piece of it. >> I didn't see the check. The check I went to Farmers. >> That goes against every That goes against everything that I thought about you. >> Okay. >> Why would somebody as nice as Howard, who would you simply got kidnapped, want to steal money from people? >> $37,000? I could run for 37,000. >> down on it. So, why should we believe your story? You're doubling down if you're saying on on the point you said if I would have known how much money this was I would have asked for a cut. >> I would have took the whole thing. >> You hear what I'm saying? So basically it was stole. >> Yeah, from Yeah, yeah and then got my ass on down the way. >> So that would have >> got back to Ohio and moved. >> So that strengthens our belief >> that I got something to do with it. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah, okay. If I had $37,000 I would have definitely moved packed up and >> Let me tell you the type of film detective Pinkerton >> This ain't Shawshank Redemption. >> You wouldn't have done what you said you would have did. >> Mhm, you know what I would have done? I'd have been in my car, I'd have texted my girl, I'd have said, "Get the hell down to the police station, take the kids, pack up real quick, and once these guys got out the car while you were sitting in by yourself cuz they're all going into the store and getting gas, I'd have hauled tail." >> Howard, you're a grown man. >> You know you got five kids. >> I can't run. I have knee two hips and two knees. >> You don't need to run, you just need to take the opportunity to get away from them when you saw them go in the store cuz you said you said a little bit ago they all got out, I stayed in the car, I never got out of the car. >> I didn't say they all got out. >> Hey, Howard. >> I never once said they all got out. >> Oh my Angie. >> Howard your story is so wild that when you have to sit before a judge and a jury they might laugh. >> Okay. >> I have a question for you. So how well do you know T.J.? >> Last summer. >> But I want the description you gave to the officer. Well, how did How well do you know him? >> I told him that he was my brother. >> Yeah. >> Like we went to school together. >> Why would you do that? >> Oh, bro. >> One lie after another. This is not going well for you. >> Cuz I don't This is my wife is my girlfriend and her kids, okay? >> Your girlfriend and the kids are going to be contacted by law enforcement. We're doing a welfare check on them. >> Okay, cool. >> We want to understand why you are not telling us the truth. >> Okay. >> I mean come on. >> Are telling sure that the cops are going to go there. >> I'm telling you right now officer just called in probably about 5 minutes and they are going to go do a welfare check and then I'm going to talk to your girl. So I want to make sure that the person I'm face-to-face with right now is going to tell me the truth and I'm not going to hear about it from her. >> Okay. You not She's going to tell you exactly what I'm going to tell you. TJ pulled up said get in the car. Okay, let's get in the car. He said don't worry about nothing. I got everything covered and you not going to snitch me out. So snitch you out for what? He was like I got something for us to take care of. Dude, what are we going to take care of? He was like you don't need to know all that. Just know you owe me a favor. I'm like how do I owe you a favor? When you threw me out the club you made me shoot my brother. That ain't got nothing to do with me. So he feels like I owe him. So he said he's going to have somebody sit in my house sit in front of the house make sure that I do what I need to do so I can come back to. He never took me. The two dudes in in the back they didn't have the guns though. That that is for sure. But as far as TJ he just told me to do it and if I don't something's going to happen to them. >> So what about shooting the brother? >> Who me? >> What How did you make him shoot his brother? >> Because I we threw him out the club and we threw him out the bar that night. So somebody got shot that night. Yeah. >> How many people got shot that night? >> [ __ ] I want to say it's only him. Because it wasn't even on the news that somebody got shot. It just said shots were fired at the bar. >> What's his brother's name? >> That I don't know. I guess I know TJ cuz he come in and out the bar every time he come in he come in with a crowd of people and females. >> real brother that got shot? >> I'm assuming so. I mean why else would you hold a vengeance at me when I was just doing my job? Like you you don't have it against nobody you don't have it against no other security guard that worked that night. >> Well, here's the thing though, but what security guard went fists with him? >> I did. >> Okay, that's why probably. Not saying that that was right, but let's remember what happened that night, okay? You said that you threw him out for whatever reason and when you threw him out things got physical and you beat him up. >> Mhm. >> So, he was pissed. And then somebody was shooting? >> No, he was shooting. >> Okay, he was shooting. You didn't declare to be a victim. Law enforcement was on the scene. Obviously they were called. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> So, he said he was going to he was going to give you a part of that and you agreed to it. >> He after we left the first place he said I'm going to give you a thousand dollars so that way you can get back home. >> So, we barely cut it. We just saw you get back home. >> I didn't know how much the check was so I went to Farmers or whatever it's called. >> And two dudes in the backseat had guns. >> Yeah, that is that is >> manner or did they just have guns? >> No, they was the dude that was back driver >> Mhm. >> had his gun on had his hand on his it was in his waistband and he had it right there he had his hand on it the entire time. >> Did you feel threatened? >> Yeah. But TJ was like he ain't going to do nothing unless I tell him to. So long as you cool, we good. >> I don't think they're going to find anything. From talking to her, I mean he could. That would change the outcome. If you're going to jail then you know that, right? >> I I figured that. I knew I when he when he when he put me in handcuffs I'm like >> Let's finish these descriptions now. >> The interview would eventually wrap up after more than two hours of questioning. The man was charged with bank fraud, grand theft, cashing item with intent to defraud, and criminal use of personal identification information. He'd end up spending 3 days in jail, and eventually plead no contest to grand theft and criminal use of personal identification information. The court would sentence him to 24 months of probation, and 200 hours of community service. He was also banned for life from all Fulmer's locations. Thanks for watching. See you on the next ride along.