Right here is mine. Is that his? Yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay. What are you doing, dude? What are you doing? What are you doing? You're under arrest. Hey, let's move. I got cover. Somebody caught that. Hurry up. This is two separate tickets together. Is it right? And what it actually is is a non-winning ticket. Go figure. Made into a million dollar. What? These days, everybody's feeling the strain from the current economic situation. Rising prices and soaring taxes have normal people feeling more desperate than ever. But that's never an excuse for breaking the law. And all that hard work we put in makes it even more satisfying to watch when these dumb thieves realize they've been caught. I would never insult you and say you're dumb. I would never. But usually this indicates intent to do fraud. I would I I mean I see that, but I would not. Let's kick off this episode with something you don't normally see. On the 11th of March, 2024, detectives in Florida responded to a call from a local lottery office where apparently a couple was there trying to cash in a fraudulent lottery ticket in the amount of a million dollars. With the stakes being this high, there was no way these cops were going to let this one go. Like I said, we're we're here about the ticket. There is a problem with your ticket. Okay. So, we want to talk to you about it, right? So, she's going to tell you a few things and I'll get it back. Um, hang on one second. Okay. So, currently at this moment, because this is an investigation in reference to the ticket, you are not free to leave. Okay. So, we're going to talk about it, but in order to, I'm going to read you your rights just so that you understand them and then we can talk about it. Okay? So, before we ask any questions, you must understand your rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you in court. You have the right to have a lawyer present while being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, a lawyer will be appointed for you without cost before questioning. If you wish to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you will still have the right to stop answering questions at any time. Do you understand that? Okay. Spell your first name for me. K I R A. Okay. You would just sign right there next to your name, please. Okay. Sure. You know that's just for now. Oh yeah. We want to talk to you about the ticket cuz it is a large question. It must have been genuinely hard for these detectives to keep a straight face as the woman tried to pretend she had no idea what was going on. Turns out you don't have to be a casting agent to spot a bad actor. And this lady's performance is downright miserable. Does anyone else have a claim to this tape? I'm gonna share it. We're gonna split it half and half. Is that the guy out front? What is his name? Dakota. When you came here was the other day first, I I assume, right? [clears throat] They had you fill out some paperwork. Yes. I I filled out multiple papers. Okay. So, if I show you a document that has your signature, will you confirm if it is or is not your signature? Yes. Yes. Okay. Thank you. And there's a second document that they ask you to fill out voluntary. It's called a security affidavit. And on the back, say your signature I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was like, where's it at? Yeah. I'm sorry. [laughter] My name, right? And so I have the ticket right here. This is the ticket. I'm not going to let you touch it, but does it look like it? Yes. Is that your name on the back here? Yes, it is. Did you put your name on there? I did. Okay. in the office here. Here. Yes. Okay. So, let me ask you how how did the ticket get ripped? Okay. So, it was in my car and I guess it had fallen out and I didn't realize when I got out and it was in the rain and I seen it the next day and I was like, "Oh my god." And I tried to scratch it before it was dry and it just was falling apart. It was a well rehearsed story, but it was pretty clear the detectives weren't buying it. And the obvious signs that the ticket was ripped in half and taped back together are completely a dead giveaway that something sketchy happened. And after listening to this woman as she continued to deflect incrimination, it was time for the detectives to lay their cards on the table. So the reason we're here is the ticket. The problem with the ticket is there's security controls inside the ticket. Okay. And what the security controls tell me and also what the ticket number tells me is this is two separate tickets taped together. Is it? Right. And what it actually is is a non-winning ticket. Oh, go figure. made into a million dollar ticket. What? No, I'll tell you how you can see that. Right. They don't go together. No. Right here, this is the ticket number. You see that number 019? That's a 08. Oh, I'm sorry. 018. Yeah. Right. If you look at the bottom, this is the ticket number for That's what I was wondering. And I was like, why does that not match, right? And I was like, I thought that's what it meant if you win. No. Oh, I didn't know that. So, did you take this together after you saw that? Yeah, after I saw that it was winning, but then I saw the number. I was looking at the numbers and I was like, that's not match, huh? That's odd. Did you tell anyone at the front like why is this so weird? Why would you No, I didn't even think about that. So, when it was weird, you just went with I just saw it was that's what a winning ticket was like. I don't know. And while she might have thought that her performance was Oscar worthy, the detectives here still weren't buying it. And things were about to get very bad for this D-list actress. Well, let me ask you about the back part. Mhm. So, you see on the back part right here where the weight stayed together, see how the words don't even match up? Did you notice that? I did not. They do though. Installments and installments. I just didn't do it right. It does if you But no, I did not know. But to me it matches up. Yeah, it actually does. It's from two. The rips are different. I mean, to me it looks like it got I got so I don't see how it's different. So the ticket's problematic for you. And the reason why it's problematic is because you signed some documents that said this ticket's fine under penalty of perjury and under penalty of fraud. Right. The ticket's not altered. tickets. Not I just stuck it back together. I didn't know. Well, [snorts] you have to understand the position we're in. You're saying you honestly did that. I did. I mean, I just stuck it back together. I thought they went together. So, what's the probability of two tickets getting ripped? That's what I'm saying. I think I'm pretty sure that goes together. It doesn't. If she had any brains in her head, this woman should have stopped talking and asked for her lawyer. Not only did they catch her red-handed, but the cops here were already producing forensic evidence to back up their case. Now they just had to keep pressing her until she tells the truth. Have you ever filled out a check before? [snorts] Filled out a check? Yeah. Or got a check? Like written one? Yeah. Yeah. Without a paycheck. You got a paycheck before, right? Yeah. So, if you imagine if somebody mistakenly put two pieces of two different checks together, I can see that looking really bad. Yes. Right. [music] Intentionally like I understand that people intentionally do that. Right. I would never intentionally do that. I know that's not allowed. You don't do that. You have two pieces of paper like this, right? Okay. Would your paper Would your medication anything you take or partake in? I think it would make a difference on But would it That's what I'm asking you. Would it alter your brain in any way to make you think that this right here was a good match? I mean, I would I would think the same way. Like, if it matched up and it lined up, I'd be like, "That's not the right size of a piece of paper." Well, you know, like, but if it really like the first what happened before, like Well, let me let me ask you. That's like I thought it might not. Apparently, what she just talked about, right? Right. This when it's taped together is not the right size of a lottery ticket. I did not realize that. I did not know that. Somebody cut the top. I did cut the tape. Well, but you you can imagine look at this barcode, right? Right. The distance I thought that's how it came off the roll cuz look on the bottom. The distance on the barcode is higher. I didn't I didn't know that. Okay. [music] Did you cut that top? I I did cut the top off the tape. Okay. At this point, there almost isn't anything the detectives can do to prove to this dumb thief that she's been caught. Not only did they have the evidence to charge her, but they actually presented it to her as if they were lawyers and she was a judge. I would never insult you and say you're dumb. I would never. But usually this indicates intent to do fraud. I I I mean I see that, but I would not. There was no intent to do anything but put the two together and keep it safe. Why tape the top? I just tape the whole thing. Why tape the whole thing? I don't know. I just tape the whole thing. Gotcha. I just I just wanted to keep the whole ticket intact. But when you tape the whole ticket intact. Mhm. The middle where it's really ripped is [music] not taped well at all. I know. Split. I see that. It's So you take the top better than the split. I know. Why do that? I don't know. Okay. That's what I don't know. I I see where I don't know. I I'm just asking for the truth. I'm telling you the truth. Okay. Okay. Will you raise your right hand? You swear to confirm everything you told us today. Sure to the best of your knowledge? Yeah. Okay. With her performance now complete and with nobody convinced for a second that she didn't attempt to commit fraud, the young woman and her boyfriend were hit with a long list of charges, including forgery, lottery fraud, and grand theft of more than $100,000. I guess these two didn't hit the jackpot that day. June 20th, 2024. This was the setting for an incredible sting operation by the Martin County Sheriff's Office. This sting exposed a fake FBI agent, saved the retirement savings of an elderly couple, and put a brazen scammer behind bars for a long time. You had like a whole line of people behind you. No, sir. There's some reason why you're driving so slow. Where are you going, dude? Sir, I confused because I I I find hotel. Find what? Hotel. Hotel? Yeah. Where are you supposed to go? Where you going? Near hotel. A hotel. What hotel? Holiday. The holiday in Yeah. Where at? What address? Where do you work for somebody? No, just stay. I'm because I am so tired. What? What? I'm so tired. You're tired? Okay. What are you doing? What? What are you doing? Work. Who do you work for? Chicago. Chicago. It didn't take long for these cops to realize that aside from a pretty thick language barrier, there was something else going on here. It was obvious the man was hiding something. And as they continued to question him, they could tell he was getting more and more nervous. What? You just picked up a bag. What? You just picked up a bag from somebody. Yes. Where are you taking it? Just taking 14. Where? What? My friends. Your Who's your friend? My friends. Who? Who is your friend? Shut your car off. Take your seatelt off. Seat belt. Take your seatelt off. Step out. Get him out. Yeah. Get out. Go back over there. With the man continuing to play dumb, the cops decided enough was enough and they detained the man while they called the victim to get their side of the story. And unfortunately, it was a classic case of elder fraud. So, what's what's going on? Last week, I got a call from supposedly Amazon telling me that somebody was trying to purchase stuff using live identification. So, they called to verify it. I said, "No, that's not me. I don't know anything about it." And they said, "Well, this sounds like fraud." and they connected me supposedly with I'm guessing some kind of a mural or something in Washington. I talked to a young lady there and she filled me in. I gave uh you know she put me through to supposedly uh an investigative agent in the social security bureau. I have in fact I have on my phone They had a whole bunch of charges against me. I did what he asked. I gave him two ingots of two kilos of book gold to protect my savings and checking accounts. I'm sorry. You did. You did what? If your reaction was the same as the deputies, don't worry. You're probably not alone. It's hard to imagine that anyone would believe that a federal agent would ask somebody to give them ingots of gold to secure their checking account, but that's exactly what the old man did. Lucky for him, these deputies happen to be on the case. You're telling me that you gave someone 2 kilos of gold? I I cannot see because you need an ambulance. What? You need an ambulance. Brian, start fire rescue allocation, please. Yes. What carrot? I'm sorry. What carrot gold? 24 karat. 99.9% pure. The key. They're They're boss. Actual boss. Yeah. No, they're about they're about playing court size, I guess. And you you gave them on beh of an investigator and to someone in a car that pulled up into your place. Yeah, that's that's Yeah. I'm going to I'm going to Sir, I'm going to tell you it doesn't it doesn't sound like a fraud. It 100% is a fraud. While the scammer's life seemed to be flashing before his eyes, it was now up to the deputy to break the very hard truth to this clueless senior that just nearly gave away his life savings. I have a copy of this guy's card, his name, his badge number, sir. Sir, his that's not that's not a legit that's not a real person. I will get that information from you, but that's that's not a real person. And I also have copies on my phone of all the warrants out for my arrest. Yeah, sir. Those aren't real warrants because I drink water. I need Okay. You got any water in your car? No, I Is there water in there? No. Oh. What did you need to drink? What? What were you going to drink? Anything. I don't even have to look it up. I telling you, you don't have any warrants for your arrest. [sighs] Well, I'm only going by what I see. You know, picture's worth a thousand words. Are you there? Yes, sir. Are are you you you coming here? I'll show you what I got. Well, I mean, yes, sir. I'll I'll be there in a minute, sir. Well, at least there was some good news for the old man, which is that he doesn't have multiple warrants out for his arrest. For many senior citizens, especially those suffering from mental decline, the outlandish lies these scammers tell, can easily scare them into action. Today, right now, you just got a package of gifts. Yes. Who? From who? Who is that? Uh relative. Who? My relative. Your relative? Yes. That was your relative? Yes. Oh, okay. And where are you taking the package? Just back with you to Miami or Chicago or something? Miami. Okay. So So the gift is for you? Yes. Oh, okay. Have you seen that guy? Who is it? How is it your relative? What? How is he your relative? My father is related. Your father's related to him? At this point, the deputies were just letting this scammer dig his own grave. And he continued piling on lie after lie. It must have been hard for the cops to keep a straight face. And it was time to take this scammer to the jail house. Can I say one thing? One one man told me that that's why I can do this. Huh? One man told me. One man. What are you talking about? One man what? One man told me uh you beat this and you drop in my That's a man told you that? Yes. Who? What man? Uh All right. I will be right back. Okay. I'm going to go put my stuff down and then I'll be back in here. Okay. With the suspect under arrest and the gold bars recovered, it was clear to the cops that this young kid was just a low-level errand boy for a much larger scamming operation. They arrested the man and took him to jail for interrogation. September 5th, 2024, Orlando, Florida. After a recent string of credit card skimming crimes in the area, a vigilant citizen called the cops after getting fraud alerts from his bank. Police quickly traced the transaction to a local Wawa convenience store and were hoping to find the thieves still there. Atlanta police. We got the other ones here. Oh, hey now. Hey now. Where'd that money go? Did it take it back in there? All right. Hey. Funny. Let's go. This guy's all zeroed up, too. Wearing a mask. With the primary thief detained and the firearm secured, other officers outside the store quickly swooped in on the rest of the gang. And with a gun in the mix, they must have been getting increasingly concerned. Hey, how you doing, sir? Right on the window for me. Hey, sit by the car. I talk to you real quick. All right. You got a gun on you? No. Where's the gun at? Uh, it's in the trunk. Okay. All right. Here. Come here. Come here. We're going to take this stuff off. Not me. You're just being detained. All right. All right. I'll explain to you in just a second. Okay. All right. Any other guns in the trunk or just in the car? Just in the trunk? Yeah, I just left the gun right in the uh Hey, sir. Hey, sir. How you doing, sir? I'm officer Ranger Le Police Department. You want to step out of the car for me? We'll talk to you explain everything in a second. Just put your arms behind you. Be detained. Okay. You got any weapons? Anything sharp, bro? All right. Anything else in the vehicle I should know about? Just smoking a little bit or something? I got picked up. What's up? I got picked up from home. I don't know where. Okay. Whose car is this? Your car? Uhoh. Okay. Is this friend's car? Yeah. Got you. Okay. Looks like the getaway drivers hadn't gotten away yet as the cops were able to find them outside waiting for their buddy outside the store. Or maybe, just maybe, these guys had the good sense to not run away when they saw the cops go inside. Either way, these guys were completely busted. You say 102. Yep. Run that. They're using multiple cards. He's obviously not Kenyon. Give me the channel for one more minute. That car is yours, right? Yeah. All right. And the tag goes to that car. Yeah. Yeah. If it is, I'm on slap E right now. I got you. Is the car running or No. Yeah. So, we're going to All right. Real quick. So, I'm going to I want to talk to you more about everything, right? But since you are in handcuff, I'm going to read your rights. Doesn't mean you're under arrest. It just means since you're being detained, I'm asking questions. You're aware of your rights. Y'all want to check me and make sure I ain't got no other cards in none of this. I'm going to read this to you first. That way, you're aware of your rights, right? So, you have the right to remain signed. Do you understand? Yes, sir. Anything you say may be used against you in court. Do you understand? Okay. You have the right to talk to a lawyer before and during questions. Do you understand? Yes, sir. If you cannot afford a lawyer and want one, one will be brought in for you before question without charge. Do you understand? Yes, sir. Has anyone threatened you or promised you anything to get you to speak? While most of the guys seem more resistant to talk, it certainly seemed like the young man in the blue hoodie was willing to work with the cops. After reading him as Miranda writes, they were hoping to get to the truth quickly and uncovered just how big this skimming operation was. So what what was going on with your whole card situation? All right. So uh basically if you uh we trying to get fillups right now, right? Mhm. So you know you could overdraft up to 225 with Navy Federal. Yeah. Navy Federal any bank account. Okay. Like say you got uh PNC anything. So if you uh put the card in, say you got like $2 on your card, you can overdraft some some of it 100, some of it 200. 225. All right. Mine 225. So boom. Say we don't got no gas. We don't want to pay for gas damn cheap. If you put it in there, if you put the card in there, if you do it from the inside, it's not going to let you do it. The the pump is like credit. So, if you put the card in and then you take it out, it's going to take the money that's on there, your $10, and it's going to keep going and it's going to stop at 100. So, if he give me $20, I like overdraft my card and just pay it back later. I got Navy Federal though. Okay. Like my So, the card you're using is Navy Federal. My personal account? No, it's his card. It's his card. Yeah, but Navy Federal do it and Fidil do it too. PNC do it. Chase, everybody. I'm saying, but the one today was Navy Federal. No, Fidility. His car. Mine Navy Federal. So, which card were we using the pumps today? Oh, he ain't using no I ain't used no car. He only the only one who used the car. Okay. Well, so much for that. Listening to this guy talk in circles for a minute was probably enough to make the officer's head spin. But one suspect's tenuous grasp on how credit works was not going to stop the cops from continuing their investigation. Yeah, he's going to have a gun, too. They're all shy up trying multiple cards on this, and he was using a car to get money out. He is there with a detective. Do you [snorts] guys realize that reasonable prudent people don't wear shies and hoods just to go do stuff? Cool. They saw Joey pull up. So, there's going to be there's gonna be a handgun in here, too, somewhere. Here with the detective. Searching the suspect's cars not only revealed dozens of stolen credit cards, but also an absolute arsenal of guns. The cops had busted an organized crime ring, and there was no telling how long they've been doing it. Was that you did it yourself or did somebody shoot you? Do you do that yourself or somebody shot you? I shot myself. Yeah, that seems like the angle. I didn't I didn't know what I was doing at first. I was young and dumb. When was that? Couple years ago. Was that here in Orlando? Was it somewhere in Sanford? Yeah. Okay. Cuz I mean I I do get calls. So you had it in here and came out here. Yeah. It's wild, bro. Did I hurt like a mother or what? I drove I ain't drove I took myself to the hospital. Damn. What's all this about? I believe it has to do with credit cards. That's my that's what I know as of right now cuz that's what I the initial what I got. Like I said, the detective, the one that was talking, he's the one in charge. No, he's just our NO. He's just helping out the detective. The detective is the one that's running the show. over there. Y once he gets a minute, I'm sure he'll explain everything to you. Just, you know, depends on how you talk to him and obviously cuz he doesn't really have to explain anything, but if you're cool with him, you know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. You know, your rights, man. Yes, sir. As organized and wellarmed as they might have been, it was pretty clear these kids weren't the sharpest tools in the shed. Maybe that's why they had to resort to stealing people's hard-earned money just to get by. You were at the gas pump with your with with Adrian. What were you doing? Show him how to do the gas. Show him how to overdraft. Overdrive. Yeah. How do you How do you overdraft? All right. So, look. Boom. All right. So, I got Navy Federal, right? Uh-huh. Navy Federal let you overdraft up to $225. What's your name? My name Quan. Kan. Yeah. What's your last name? Billings. Billings. Yeah. I'm supposed to be going to get my girlfriend for work. We have Where she work at? She work at a hospital. Okay. A medical center. Let me figure all this out. All right. The gun. Did you throw that gun into the trunk when you saw the cop pull up? Oh no. You want to know what's crazy? Is that I got pulled over. That Glock was just sitting in the middle of the trunk. Cops did it. I had That's why I had the holster on me and the gun. How long ago? Uh probably like it was a while ago. So you didn't just come from the gunner range? No. Okay. I ain't go to the gunnery yet. He put the gun in the back. All right. Hang on. You anything to talk to me? Okay, sir. Okay. That's why I'm telling you. I didn't just stop you. I saw you use a card a few times. try to use it. Ducking in and out of back seats. Okay. I see a a tag that's not attached to the car. All right. So, it makes me think, right? Yes, sir. And then I see you using an ATM. What's on ATMs? Right. Cameras. Why would you want to conceal your identity on a camera? Cuz you're doing something illicit or wrong. No. Whether they were all playing dumb or if all of them were just really that stupid, the cops had run out of time and patience and were tired of listening to their excuses. All three teens were arrested. Looks like it ended up as a great day for law enforcement and a bad day to be a thief. On the 5th of March 2023, the cops in Illinois were called to the scene of a real life hamburglar. This idiotic thief tried to steal all the cash from the register at a local McDonald's. When the cops arrived, the man had already left the building, but he was carrying a knife. Get your hands up now. Get your hands up now. Put them up. Put him up [screaming] now. I ain't do nothing out your pocket right now. Leave them up. Put them up in the air. In the air now. Put them up. Put your hands up in the air now. Stay lethal. I got taser. I got him. Put your hands up now. 417, can you be interrupted with the uh less lethal shotgun? This guy not complying with the officer's request was not a good sign. Calls like this one often end up with suspects getting shot. So, it's a good thing the cops came prepared and had a variety of less lethal measures. I'm going to tase you if you don't put your hands up. I ain't did nothing wrong. Put your hands up. I ain't did nothing wrong. Put your hands up. Where's Where's Where's the knife at? I'm a fed. Where's the knife at? Where's your knife at? Put your hands up, please. Well, get you some help. We just need you to comply, man. Come on, man. Brandon, please. Where's the knife on you? Put him behind your neck like this for me. I'm not doing. You have, my man. You're going to get hit with a less lethal shotgun if you not comply. If the threat of a taser didn't work, the cops were hoping that the unmistakable sound of a shotgun shell being chambered would scare the man into complying. But unfortunately, it seemed like nothing was going to prevent this situation from ending with force. My man, we don't want to hurt you. Okay, let's talk. Okay, don't touch me, pap. I'm going to talk to you. What's going on, man? Y'all g Huh? Y'all g No, we just want to make sure you going to be We just want to make sure my gun. Okay. I just want to make sure you can be good. Gravity. Look, I just No. No. I I just want to talk. You don't even cover. Okay. Is this Is this Brandon? Yeah. This is Brandon. Brandon. I went to HF with you. What's up? I went to school with you, man. I went to school with you. Can I talk to you? Yeah. We got to talk, man. Do you remember me? Okay. I just want to talk to you, Brandon. Look at me. Look at me. Look. Oh my god. Come here. Can I just talk to you? That's it. Okay, we're we're going in the friendly fire. Let's Yep. Stop. Stop going behind him. As this deranged man continued backing away from the primary officer, two of the other cops were making a mistake by getting way too close to the suspect. If he decided to pull his knife out, it's possible the officers might get hit by friendly fire. All I want to do is help you. That's all. Okay. Look at me. Just talk to me right now. What happened? I'm not going to touch I'm not Stop approaching me. I'm not. Just talk to me. Stop approaching me. Y'all my cousin. I'm not moving. Y'all my family, [screaming] man. But you stand still. I stand still. Okay. Jim, where's your car at? Stay in your car. Stay in your car in case he starts going. So, we're going have to chase him. I'm walking away from you. I'm walking away from I'm 10. So if you stop, I stop. We good. Okay. You stop, I stop. As things hit a bit of a stalemate with the cops continuing to follow the man as he retreated, it was clear nothing was going to change unless somebody made a move. There you go. There you go. Got him. Hands underneath him. I know. I've got both of his arms. You have an arm. Do you have medic? Another pair of pants. I'm the same. You'll be all right. We just want to hurt you. I got his knife. He's not I got his knife. He's not We just want to help you, my man. Here. Here. I got You got to cut. Yeah. I was trying to do a cross. I was trying to get his attention and the minute he put his hand behind my back. I was trying to tell Timmy. I think he's out. Just just just Yeah. Tell paramedics. Hey, roll him over. He's out. Looks like that officer must have played linebacker in high school because that tackle was just insane. With the suspect knocked out cold by the impact, the cops were finally able to secure the weapon and provide the man with immediate medical attention. We're going to get you some help. Okay. Good job, officer. Good job. Good job officers. And we need more police officers like [laughter] the other police officers. I'm good. Thank you though. I appreciate it. With EMS on the scene and their jobs well done, the officers could sleep well that night, knowing they'd handled the situation in the best way possible without any loss of life or serious injury. As for the suspect, he was charged with destruction of property, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. On the 17th of June, 2023 in Whiteall, Ohio, an unusual call came in from a local car dealership about a suspected case of fraud. The cops quickly showed up, prepared to quickly take care of business, sir. Stand up. Stand up. You're going to get tased. Get on the ground. You're going to get tased. Get on the ground. Put your hands Put your hands behind your back. Now you move. You're getting tased. Do you understand me? All [snorts] right, we got one in custo resisted. Hold on. Yeah, we'll get you there. I missed that. What was that traffic? I didn't do nothing. What did I do? What did I do? You guys get there. Stop moving. Stop moving. Okay. All right. Get up, please. My arm. All right. My arm. I want You got that? This is my key. Your key? Yeah. Right here is mine. Yeah. Okay. What are you doing, dude? What are you doing? What are you doing? You're under arrest. It's a good thing these cops showed up ready to rock and roll. Especially after this idiot scammer decided to resist arrest and flee the scene, not once, but twice. You got to wonder how he thought he'd escape with his handscuffed behind his back. But then again, criminals like this guy aren't really known for making smart decisions. That's stupid. Now stand up. How stupid could you be in the car? Well, stop resisting slamming. All right. I like the one a little [snorts] bit smoother, but hey, that's escalated real quick. Okay. Um, were you the one talking to Jason? Yeah, both of us. Okay. Can I have all the paperwork? Before the officers could even catch their breath from the takedown, they were already beginning their investigation into what happened before they arrived. And after resting for a quick moment, they were then able to get the full story from both sides. And then when it came in, he picked the car. He said, "This is going to do with no money down. He's going to buy that car. We already have. we have an approval on it. But then what flagged it was he's from Connecticut and they sent me Ohio State ID and I sent you guys that ID. It came back as um the ID that's on there. And did he claim to be that person? He came in and said, "Hey, I'm have an appointment with OG." And then that's how we identified him. Can I get a number out of my phone, please? We're not letting you get anything right now. Can I pull up? So, this is how it's going to go. I'm going to read you your rights and then I'm going to explain everything to you and then you can tell me anything you want to tell me. So, you're under arrest for identity fraud. Okay? I'm going to let you think about that for a minute cuz we got all the paperwork, everything that you submitted. All right? So, think about that and then maybe we can have a chat. Other than that, right now, as long as you're cool in here, hopefully the air is on, it is. You're just going to sit here for a second. We got a couple things we got to do. All right. So, push your your leg in. Okay. One second. Can Can you Can you go on my phone and get a number on my phone? Well, we we will take care of that later on down the line. Not right now. So, what's happening with them in the vehicle? Well, we're going to go over there and I'm going to have a chat with them, too. I need to understand what's going on here. Okay. So, watch your leg. He's been read his rights. You good? Looks like this thief's tune has changed from one of stupid resistance to one of profound regret. And it didn't take him long to give up the fact that he had accompllices working with him nearby. Naturally, the next move for the cops was to radio other officers in the area so they could find the other crooks and make sure they didn't get away. How y'all doing? Good. What's going on? You guys giving somebody a ride? Oh, okay. Well, do me a favor. Step out here and talk to us. What? You got any concealed weapons or anything on you? What the? There you go. You're not under arrest for nothing. You're just being detained. For what? Tell me, man. You don't know. I don't I know what's going on. Yeah, I think you guys were driving somebody around today, but we'll get to that. Who's Who's the Who's the driver? 117. We have two. I'm trying to see why. my hand. Yeah, you're just detained as part of their investigation. Who are the investigation? The the other cops literally were just here to to get you out of the car and talk to you. Someone else going to come deal with with everything else. It didn't take long for the officers to find them. They might have been playing dumb or maybe they really didn't know what their buddy was up to, but they were about to get a quick education on the way the law works for scammers. your buddy in there fraudulently tried to purchase a car with fake ID and everything. So, we're going to search this car to make sure none of he doesn't have any more kind of documents or IDs that could be construed as identity fraud. Okay. You guys have any questions? Uh why in the is you sitting right here? Huh? Why are we sitting here? Cuz you guys are detained for the reason of coming with him. You guys didn't leave. So, it's a little suspicious like how is he going to get that car home if he would actually bought it? Either he's driving it or one of you are driving it. Okay. So, I'll read you both your rights right now. Doesn't mean you guys are under arrest, but in case I want to ask you some questions. So, you both have the right to remain silent and you say it can be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to have attorneys present or any question. You guys can stop answering questions at any time. If you can't afford a lawyer, one can be appointed for you guys. Okay. Do you understand? Do you understand? Okay. All right. Who is he to you guys? Say what happened? Who is he to you? Just a friend. It's just a friend. What was the the business today you guys were conducting? He was riding around for real, bro. He said he had to stop somewhere. Okay. At least for now, looks like the guy in blue decided to stick with playing dumb. Maybe he just didn't want to snitch on his body. Either way, the cops were now going to see if they could change his tune by searching the vehicle for hard evidence that these three were in cahoots. Who's the guy you got up there? Curtis like a fake. Yeah, I need that. Photograph that. Okay. It was in his door pocket. Oh, wait. Hold on. Curtis the owner of this car. The other one was Zachary. Okay. So, he just changed the name. So, you think this is fake as well or is he actually So, this car is probably stolen. This car belongs to Curtis is what the registration says. This is stolen. Probably the same deal. Aha. The cops quickly found a stash of false car paperwork, including the DMV registration for the SUV the couple was in. It was looking more and more likely that these guys were serial car thieves who just happened to get caught in the act. 2014 center. Oh, you talking about in the back. All right. He officer already spoke to you, right? Okay. What's going on with them over there? I don't know. I haven't been over there. You'll go into the White Hole Police Department for now. Okay. All right. Listen, dude. Don't fight anymore. It's just we're we're past that point. 117 not worth it. What's done is done. It's worth the process though. I'll be going to Franklin County. I can't even I am not a part of this call. I was assisting with this call. I don't know the details. I have no idea whether you'll be released or not. Yeah. So, that officer will be in to interview you and talk to you. Um but it's just going to be a little bit. Okay. So, just sit tight. You don't have anything else on your person, right? Uh my ID is in my pocket. Okay, my real ID. So, just sit back for You can't even pull up over here so I can at least tell him or something. At the end of the day, this young man who thought he'd have a chance at the Olympic sprinting team was charged with identity fraud, resisting arrest, and attempted fraud of over $50,000. Meanwhile, his friend in blue was charged with attempted fraud and driving in a stolen vehicle. July 27th, 2022. It was a blistering summer day in Lacus, New Mexico. It was that kind of day when you'd be willing to do just about anything to get out of the heat. But things were about to get even hotter for these two desperate thieves who were trying to steal an air conditioner from a local Lowe's. However, they ended up getting spotted by an offduty Border Patrol agent. Once the cops arrived on scene, a high-speed chase ensued. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. [screaming] Put your hands up. I hear him. He has a seat belt. [screaming] He's not getting out first. Get him. He's not coming outside the door. Figure it out. Get out of the car. Get out of the car [screaming] now. Get over here. now. Talk to me. Talk to me. I got cover. Somebody get contact. Hurry up. You guys vehicle. Aside from executing a perfect pit maneuver, the cops had to fire dozens of rounds of ammo at the suspect's getaway vehicle, which eventually ended up striking a pole. As it turned out, the cops knew the suspects here as they already had a bad reputation. They got to take him to a They're taking him to a hospital. Okay. I don't know. I thought it was Josh Lopez. Josh Lopez. Yeah. Let me double check, but I'm pretty sure it's Josh. Hey, that's that's Josh Lopez, right? Yes. Okay. Yeah, that's Josh Lopez. What are you doing? Yeah. You okay? Yeah, I'm all right. All right, man. All right. Get you checked out or anything already? No. Did you need it? Okay. So, I'm Detective Wilbur. Detective Prius. Okay. I know. You know Frius? Well, he's a detective now, so he's Are you a detective? I know, man. I'm moving up in the world, dude. No way. All right, partner. So, I mean, obviously, we want to investigate this incident. Some stuff went down. I'm sure that's pretty crazy for you, and we want to talk to you about it, okay? You're in handcuffs in the police car right now. So, I'm not charging you with the crime. I'm trying to figure out what happened here. The suspect that got shot was identified as Joshua Lopez. And shortly after he was taken to the hospital. The other suspect, Miles Luchiano, didn't sound too concerned about his accomplice. So much for honor among thieves. So far, like straight up just you guys came from the Lowe's. You're pushing on an air conditioner, right? You don't remember? You know they got cameras at Lowe's, right? Like again, it's just a shop. I don't give a about a shoplifting. Like we had gunshots being fired here, but I don't give a about gunshots. Okay. So, I mean, you you and Joshua Lopez, you you guys I mean, you guys roll together and you always pop up on the cameras here, El Paso, whatever. It's not a big deal. I don't I'm here for big boy stuff. I don't give a about thing, but I just want to make sure I got the facts straight. Is there Is there an air conditioner in the back of that car? I don't even know what's in the car. Okay. I mean, obviously, you're wearing the same clothes that you were wearing in Lowe's, right? Okay. So, I'm not saying I'm not the person who went in those. You're pushing on air conditioner. It's not the end of the world. I get it. And you know it's an air conditioner in the car. So now let me ask you this. Did you pull out a gun on the employees there? No, I didn't. Okay. Did you know that the other guy had a gun? No. Nobody had gun. And if it's a gun, it's a BB gun. Okay. If there's a BB gun, is it inside the car? Yeah, probably. Okay. What color is it? I don't even know what color it is. Well, well, if you know it's a BB gun, you must have seen it. Yeah, because he had to pace the box of for a BB gun. Yeah. Looks like the investigation here was not going to be made easy as Miles seemed extremely hesitant to even admit he was in the store, let alone that he robbed it. Also, it didn't seem like the officers were buying his story about the BB gun. Then, out of nowhere, Joshua's mother showed up on scene. How can I help you? Um, I What kind of vehicle is is involved? Are you looking for a vehicle or? Well, because my son's on the run and I'm not sure if it's him. Okay. What kind of vehicle are you looking for? Uh, a Tahoe. Maroon Tahoe. Okay. What's your son's name? Joshua Lopez. 37. Where are you parked at? Um, way over there. Okay. Let's head down to my car and I'll talk to you. Okay. Wait on the other side of those cop cars over there. Okay. I'll come off youated. I'll come talk to you and we'll keep you updated. Okay. Is it that red SUV? Yes. Let's go this way. Is he [laughter] okay? He's at the hospital. Let's go this way. Come on. What do you mean he's on What do you mean he's on the run? No, he's alive. He's alive. Hey, we have to keep going. Come on. You need to stay here. We need to go this way. We're not going to let you in right now. Oh god. Let's go this way so I can talk to you and [snorts] see what's going on. He get shot. I can't tell you any details about what happened. My god. It's an active investigation, so I can't tell you any details. Oh my god. Come on. [laughter] What do you mean he's on the run? Like he's Yeah, they were looking for him. Let's keep going. Keep walking while we talk. We can't be on the scene like Oh my god. Like was he missing person or? No, no, I'm not missing a person. My son has been on the run. I have been trying to help you guys. Turn himself in. Okay. So, he had a warrant. Yeah, she has warrants. Despite his mother's tears, it couldn't have come as much of a surprise that Mr. Lopez had a warrant out for his arrest for shoplifting. With statements from everyone else now recorded, the last witness for the officers to interview was the Border Patrol agent who spotted the thieves in the first place. What do you know about what happened? Uh, I was here at the front. I was just looking for some drinks. I had made a purchase just but my kids wanted a drink. So, Okay. And then I'm a US border patrol agent out of Demi. I came back in, these guys kind of bumped into me like right there at the registers while I was looking for drinks. Okay. And they were both masked up all the way to their face with hats. Thought it was kind of weird. And I kind of figured as soon as I looked at them back and I turned around, I figured these guys are going to run. But then these guys confounded them at the front, like three or four of them, and he pulled out a gun. And then he looked at me and he pulled out the gun. I followed them to get the vehicle description. Okay. And then I I noticed that there were they came in back through the back. That was the one that got the vehicle description with the hood, the black hood, the toggle, and then I noticed that their license plate was covered with a plastic bag. And then they took off this way. And what were you saying about Bord Patrol? I'm a Bord Patrol. Okay. Okay. You're the All right. I think they would have done a lot of worse. I was here earlier and I was already carrying and I reached for my gun. I'm doing backyard right now and I gave it to my weapons. I was like, [ __ ] was peing all over the place. The Border Patrol agent did not have his firearm with him. While that might have been good news for the suspects, in hindsight, if the man was armed, he might have been able to stop them from driving away. So, the car chase that ended with one of them getting shot shouldn't have happened in the first place. The suspects were charged with multiple counts of interference with threats of violence. On March 15th, 2023 in Hillsboro County, deputies were called after a U-Haul was spotted that was reportedly stolen. And with such a routine call, they might not have expected to encounter the mother of all bratty thieves. South gas stationary. One black male detained uh east of the truest bank. 101 black male, blue shirt, black pants. Hey sir, this vehicle is report stolen. Let me see your wallet please. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I got the wallet. All right, man. Got any knives, guns, weapons on you while we sort these things out? Okay. Who's that in the passenger seat, sir? Uh, that's my girlfriend. Trying to get what we was trying to go at when you move. Okay, I feel you. I feel you. Going back and forth, getting things from the house and stuff. Are there any knives, guns, weapons in the vehicle? No, sir. Okay. Do you have any knives, guns, weapons on you? All right, sir. Can you spread your feet for me? Thank you, sir. Well, so far everything here started pretty relaxed. And the adult male driver of the truck had no argument whatsoever with what the deputy was saying. But this guy's attitude was just the calm before the storm as they were about to confront the young female in the passenger seat. Why you got your gun out? I can't see in the car from where I'm at. Okay, but the window down. You don't have to have have your gun. Okay, I'm getting out. Don't put your hands on me. I'm getting out. What's her problem? Had a bad day cuz when we tried we was supposed to move out already. So Okay, good. But sit in here for me, please. Yes, I am. I'm going to call my mommy. You're not going to come over here and pull no gun out on me, bro. I'm going to call my mama. No, we not doing this. We're not doing this. Manhandle me. Don't manhandle me, bro. Y'all come over here. Let me call my mama. Let [screaming] me call my mama. I'm not calm. I am. I'm going to call my mama. What the Why? I can't call my mama. Okay. I'm calm. Let me call my mama. I'm calm. It ain't no calm [screaming] down. You can't leave with your gun. You took my seat. The window down. Let me call my mama. What the? With an attitude beyond anything they were expecting. This bratty young woman was clearly having a bad day. Or maybe she was upset because she knew that what they were up to was about to come to a quick end. Y'all steady taking my phone. Let me call my mama. I'm calm. I'm in handcuffs. I'm only 46. Stop. [screaming] Hey, don't stop. Y'all want us shut the I'm not telling you my name. Y'all want you talking about you can't see the window down. I'm 46. 80 lb is two of y'all. SP. It's two of y'all at We 6 80 lb and y'all manhandling me. You kidding me? Good job. Good job. [screaming] Good job. Enjoy your felony, man. I don't care. Okay. It's a felony, but y'all got me. I am gone. This is not 4680 [screaming] lb. It's too grown man on me. Yes, I'm going to flip. It take two of y'all to play handcuffs on somebody that's 4 680 lb. Yes. Wow. Y'all weak as Yes, I am hurt. She talks about her size like it makes her weak, but with her feisty attitude, she's actually quite a handful. And the cops are having a hard time. The cops had every right to detain her and ensure everyone's safety. And nothing she could scream about was going to change that fact. You just caught a felony. Did you kick me? Him. Kick the out of him. Come on, bro. She's 46. She's okay. Yeah. Quite so much. Scared of that. So, as you saw truck going east, I got him out of the car. Confirmed. There's our vehicle. Okay. Okay. Yeah, he was popping back in the driver came up. So I snatched him out before I confirmed. We let aviation know we need too. I mean he's getting here now. Hey babies officer 41 25 right. Yeah. Yeah. That's our concern right now. We'll get it taken care of. discovering a dog in the back of the stolen truck just added one more twist to the investigation. And with the dog now secured, the deputies then started questioning the thieves. And as you might have guessed from their attitude so far, one of these people was more willing to talk than the other. It's a yes or no. Are you willing to answer questions or make a statement without an attorney being present? I want an attorney present. What's that? I want an attorney. You want an attorney present? Okay. All right. Has anyone threatened you, coerced you, or promised you anything to cause you to answer questions or make a statement? Okay, sir. All right, I'll get the AC up just a little bit more. It's good. It's good where it is. Okay, J me up. Which one of y'all jacked me up? Cuz whoever jacked me up, I'm out speaking to him. I'll speak to the other one. So, if you don't want that jack me up, I don't want to speak to you. And that's how nicely I'm saying. Which one? I don't know who had me off the ground. My feet was dangling off the ground. Which one of y'all jacked me up against that truck or my face against the truck? Yes, body cam. Yes, I was threatened and they had me off the ground on my feet with my face against the truck. Yes, I feel very threatened and I kept telling y'all I'm only 46 and 80 lb that y'all are man handling me. Yes. Yes, I do feel threatened. Next question. Okay, so what's going on today in this? Because when you when you came up to the truck, correct, and I rolled the window down. My problem is when you came to the truck, you didn't feel threatened cuz you didn't have your gun out, right? You told him to get out the truck and when the other man came up, he had his gun out talking about he can't see in the car. First of all, there's no T and the window was already down. It seemed like no matter what the deputies did, this bratty little thief just couldn't get past the fact that one of the deputies had his weapon drawn as he was approaching the truck. But if she could see it from his perspective, the deputy clearly had no clue of what was inside and therefore had to approach the woman like a potential threat. Why you got your gun? my I can't see in the car from where I'm at. Okay, but the window down. You don't have to have have your gun. Okay, I'm getting out. Don't put your hands on me. I'm getting out. I have the luxury of not knowing what I'm walking into. That's kind of a scary prospect, don't you think? So, what happened before all that? Before all the what? Before before this whole incident. What happened today? What's going on today? We were born somewhere. What do you mean today? Where were we? Where were we all going? We was going to meet somebody. Oh, who are you going to meet? This boy. We buy stuff from him. Okay. Okay. Smoke. Okay. Smoke what? That's fine. No issues. This is no crime. I smoke marijuana. Yes, I do. Nice. Okay, that's fine. Do you have Do you have one of those like mar little card things? No. Okay. Well, I I I would suggest you get those, okay, from a doctor. I'm sure they probably give them out pretty liberally nowadays. After the not so surprising revelation that the woman and her friend were on the way to buy drugs, the deputy paused his questioning until a female deputy can conduct a search on the suspect. What I'm saying is I got defensive because why are you walking up to the car with your gun out? First of all, you're in a stolen car. The window is down and [screaming] cooperate when they pull you out, pat you down or not. Yes, I was cooperating. He the first he walked up first and then an officer did. What What are y'all talking about? too obstitute if her officers walked up. Step out. And then there y'all go being rude. I don't I I don't want y'all to check me no more. I'm good. Y'all don't got to check me no more. I have the choice to you. Okay. Pull your dress down. Stop yelling. That is enough. Act like an adult if you're I am acting like an adult cuz they jacked me out of my in front of everybody in the first place. Shut your mouth. No, I'm not shutting my mouth. I'm grown as you. Check me and I can talk. I talk to me and I can talk while y'all check me. There's no crime to check me while I'm talking. I can talk. Finally, there's one thing here that everyone can agree on. This woman can certainly talk. And if she keeps up her combative and arrogant behavior, she's going to find herself in a place where she'd have to do a lot of talking. And that would be in front of a judge. Did you look at me? And then open your mouth for me. Open your mouth for me. Lift your tongue. Ain't nothing [screaming] in my hair. There's nothing in my hair. What else y'all need to look? All you have to do is not fight. If somebody jack you and your family up and your children up at school, that's that that's okay. Like on a just a normal bas, even if it's a criminal, if somebody just go up to you, if you was a regular civilian and jacked you off your feet off the ground, you won't feel offended. I'm just asking, would you feel offended? I'll feel offended, but there's a difference. There's a difference. Please don't interrupt this. Very important. The difference between feeling offended and your actions afterwards. You can feel offended all day, but until your actions, you know, you But I told y'all y'all was being too How many times did I tell you y'all were being too And then and then as we were trying to get these cuffs locked on you so they wouldn't get tighter on your wrist off the ground. Yes. Yes, you Yes, we did. And that still didn't stop the resistance. It seemed like she'd never understand why the deputies treated her that way. But this entitled little brat had to eventually accept the fact that she was going to jail. She got a number of charges including assault on an officer, resisting arrest, and trespassing. There's a very old saying that only dumb criminals get caught. Whether that's true or not, it was certainly the case for these thieves who made a lot of really dumb decisions. And surely no one can blame law enforcement if they ever feel something particularly gratifying about taking down stupid thieves like these.