Transcription
How you doing? How you doing? Good. You got your ID on you?
Um, it's right there. I'm sorry. Is there a problem? Yeah. Where'd your friend go?
Um, my cousin. Yeah. Um, I'm assuming to the car. Is I'm sorry. Is there a problem? Yeah. Where'd she go?
Hey, what's the What's the issue? Well, she just left without you. Where'd she go? She went back to I'm actually supposed to be leaving now because I had to go pick up um my nephew. But what's going on?
Okay. Where'd she go to? I just said to the car. "Sir, what is going on again?" She got she got in a car in the middle of the road. I'm sorry. In the in the middle of the road. Yeah. When she saw me saw me, she ran out of here.
Okay. So, they left me. Yeah. I have my phone on me. Okay. Just hang out. What's your name? Serenity. Serenity. Yes. Okay. Now, there's a case worker that's following her.
Hi. How you doing? How you doing? Oh, yeah. You can slide that. What's that? So, here's the You can slide that. Um, so Jim Milford, I told him to call me. He's our corporate security.
Okay. Um, so the other day we've had a very we get the similar situations all the time where it's kind of like what happens is they get these fraud checks. They put enough money in the account they try to cash the check against it. Um, and then they appear fraudulent. So we had one the other day that came in 911.
Was it the same? A different a different girl, but I imagine it's like the same probably same group at your branch. Was it at your branch? Yeah, there was another girl here yesterday and um she went to Golf Gate. She left here. She went to Golf Gate and they called the police.
So now, okay, she's here. We got information from another branch that said that she was there. Um and what's going to happen is they have a bunch of different checks. So, I don't know about this one specifically, but it's usually like the same thing. So, um hang my corporate security wanted to know when you were here. So, let me cuz he's got the information for another branch. They just said be on the lookout because what they do is they hit all the branches.
Yeah. Um and then they have different checks. So, and then we were trying to stall her and that's when he came in that kid and he's like, "What's taking so long?" And I was just trying to stall her.
Okay. Was that a male or female? I couldn't tell. Oh, I don't know. I thought it was a boy. Yeah. I'm not sure what the the Oh, I don't know. I'm sorry. Sorry, I thought it was a boy and it really um
So, explain to me one more time. You were saying they were putting money into the account. So, what they do is they have an account with us, right? So, they deposit cash in and then they get more checks payable to them and they they must steal the checks or whatever cuz they get have different ones and they go around. So, they put money in say let's say she deposited $900 today or whatever, right? So, what they do is they come around and they cash these checks because it looks like they have enough to cover the check. So they catch the jack, they pull out the money, and then they're gone. And they just and they hit all the branches in the area, all of our branches.
Um and um they have different checks. Now, this isn't a region's check, so I don't I don't know. But hang on. He's um I'm trying to call, but he he called the other branch, so he knows. Hang on one second. 97. Go ahead. What's your ETA? I'm westbound on Weber right now. You need me to expedite? 54.
Hello. Hey, Jim. It's windy. Okay. So, um, did you talk to Lisa? Because the only information we have is what she sent us. So the cops are here. The cop is here now. Oh, okay. Okay. Well, then I'll get off. Well, cuz the officer is here and I'm just kind of explaining, you know, I'm trying to tell him. Okay. Thanks. All right. He was trying to reach out to the lady who reported it from the other branch for for fraud to see if it was confirmed fraud. See, this is what she sent. So, this is what we got. I mean, we had the same thing the other day, but different um
Okay, just an FYI is trying to catch a check for 743 starter several branches. 1259. When did that That's when Lisa, she's a branch manager from Cortis Road. And that happened at 1:00 for 7:43. And did she get denied on that? Oh, she has a different check. Okay. Yeah. But it's the same name. Yeah.
So, what they do is this. They get a bunch of different checks and they go around trying to catch them against their available balance. And then what they do is then they they get the money and they pull the money that they put in. It's just like a it's like it's a common thing. They try it all the time with us. So, this is not um the sharing. No, it's not what um and then she said she took a picture of her driver's license in the check. So, see, it's a different check. See? Hang. Let me pull up. And then what? What location is that? Um Cortez Road. Okay. What's wrong for you? Oh, see how it's a different check? See, it's a different check for 743. She's got a different check. They She They probably have a ton of them in that car. whoever that person was with. Yeah. And we had one the other day who the police went to golf a different girl with the same situation. She had different shots.
Okay. I'm just going to wait for the other officer and then I'll question her in just a minute. Okay. Yeah. We're trying to figure out what's going on here. Mhm. Okay. What's that? Yeah. This outer [Music] I can see she could email it to me. I don't know if I could find that out any bigger. It's fine. What what I plan on doing is just kind of questioning her. It's a common thing they do. Yeah. No, tons of people. I'll catch her in a lie here. But just but the person that came in that was with her that came in, he said just as I was the girl or whoever that was um he said, "How much longer is this going to take?" And of course I was trying to stall her, right? Um cuz I was at lunch and they said they were calling you. So I said um that person got on the phone with somebody and said I'll be in there in about 20 minutes. So I don't know if they were I don't know what they're Yeah. So I just I just saw her walk out and get into a car that was out there on 41.
What's going to happen is I'm going to assume she's going to go to jail for this today. Mhm. But then I can't do anything about this case, which I would encourage that branch. Oh, she's going to call me right now. So, so I'll give you our case number and then when they make a report with the uh Manatee Sheriff's Office, they can just relate the two cases when I give you a case number. Oh, okay. Okay. Okay, perfect. Thank you. So, I'm late to the party. Oh, sorry. Okay. Yeah. So, what are we saying's going on here, ma'am? I'm I'm kind of new. Yeah. No. Yeah.
So it's pretty common thing that happens at the banks. Um so they have an account with us. So them or she does. Okay. Yeah. So they like have like a ring of people and what they do is they deposit like cash in the account like 900 bucks. Okay. They got multiple checks. I don't know if you can see this when I can show you a picture. I couldn't print any better. But they went she went to Cortez Road at like earlier today at like 12 1:00 today. Okay. And she had a different completely different check for $743. So, what they try to do is they say, "What's my available balance?" Oh, I have $900 in there. So, they know that they have $900. Sometimes banks don't know any better. And what they'll do is they'll cash the check against the $900 saying that they have enough to cover it.
We're we're kind of wondering though how they're Do you have any idea how they're getting these checks? I mean, is does this Sharon report this check stolen or is it a I mean, is it um Well, Lisa is calling me because there's a different check that she had. So, it's a completely different person. Yeah. So, I don't She's going to give me the details on that one. And is that one a branch? I haven't called and verified this one yet, but um hang on. Let me show you. So, Sarani has an account with you. Oh, yes. Yeah. Okay. She's claiming see this check. So, Lisa, the branch manager, who because they always look like this. It's almost like the same handwriting. We had somebody same thing um the yesterday that came in. They hit they hit all of our locations. So they hit three or four locations with three or four different checks. They're trying to get us to cash it and then they pull their 900 out and then they skip town and then they're gone. So um and the handwriting is always the same and the amounts are just always just weird unusual amounts. So I don't know where they got them from. I assume they're probably stolen. I don't know. But you can see this one's completely somebody else.
What am I What am I not getting in? No, I we're I'm on the same page as you as far as she has an account here. She's claiming that a woman named Sharon wrote her a check. Yes. Right. And she's wanting to cash the check, right? And you're suspicious that this may be a stolen check based off the time. There's like a ring of people that come around and do it. And we've all the police have shy multiple times. Shy of knowing that this is a stolen check. Well, that's why she's calling me cuz she's verified that that one was fraudulent. So, I'm going to assume that this one's going to be fraudulent. So, she's she's waiting to verify that that's fraudulent. Yeah. Is that okay? Yeah. Let's um How long do you think she's going to be till she gets back with that? Have we tried reaching out to the sher? Well, no, but I could do that right now while we're waiting. I can call that bank while we're waiting. We had the same thing the other day at GFK and they went I just I want to we're on the same page. I just wanted to confirm that we have a victim first, right? I mean, we have to let me verify this one and I'm waiting for the branch manager. And if and if we can confirm at least that other one is fraudulent, then I can go ahead and go for You're right. It looks weird that she's going to various branches and depositing checks. She's not depositing or or cashing them.
So, as I walked up, um friend or associate is exiting the bank. Mhm. runs out to uh 41, jumps in the car mid 41 and and I'll be there in 20 minutes. We run her. I haven't ran her yet. I wanted to go. Can you just hang I'm going to go grab my You going to do that? Okay, you do that. And then I want to confirm um that that other check first before I start questioning. Obviously, we can't do anything about the the MS, but I just want to have some Yeah. Yeah. ammo with the question. Absolutely. I'll run. Okay. Yeah, if you can.
So, you have to have an account for you guys to cash a check. You don't have to, but if it's a region, check will cash it with a fee. But that's not a region. That's a Yeah. What bank is that? So, they don't have to have an account. Um, we would run it through to a third party, but they would verify it. Okay. So, Oh, wait. Did she just call? I think she's on the phone. So, The money just got withdrawn with the money. Oh, hey. Okay. Um, did you verify the other one withdraw on that check? [Applause]
So, you have to have money in an account for them to cash on another bank next check. Well, that money was it a different check or the same? Whoever ran out, they're suspecting probably went and got that $900 out of the account. That's all because she said they knew we confiscated. Go ahead. Has a valid class B operator. So the person who this check is they went to the bank and took that money. I thought these she has an account. That's how they allow her to. No, no, I got checks. I got you. But she's here. So, we called the police. The police are here. They want to know how do we know it's confirmed fraud here. I got another completely different shot than what you have. I got 605 and she was with somebody. They jumped in a car and they just removed the money some other location here. I just want to sit down. I kind of want to confirm that did this and then I can go. Yeah, I wrote her a check. I know. No. And that's what I want to get. Yeah. Well, that's good cuz I have a different one. But they just want us to, you know, we have to verify that it's fraud. We have to verify that fraud. So, I'm trying to reach out my endast. Okay. Are you able to try to to try to We can confirm today. Try to reach out on this one. Just going to give them case. Make sure that they reach out to MSO to report that and then follow up with the one from yesterday. I'll reach out. Okay. Okay.
So, she she did the same thing based on an email from the other branch. So, she's been in three different branches. Um so, she said she just managed to get the check. Okay. Um so, she's going to call and try to verify that. I mean, it's we see it all the time. Okay. Um, I know you need to verify that it's fraud. She's going to do that on that one. I'm going to do that on this one. Okay. How long would that take, do you think? Um, as soon as I get somebody to answer the phone, okay, you want to read her and just find out what's going on or what do you want to do? Just give it a minute. At the very least, we've confirmed identity, all that sort of stuff. Yeah, we've got But yeah, no, I was I was on the same page as you. just wanted to This is a very common thing that they do. We see it all the time. I I mean, not that we deal with a lot of financial stuff, but $100 in an account and you steal you have to steal the checks. That's that's what we're kind of confused.
My name is calling from Regent's Bank here in Sarasota, Florida. Um I have um we have a a customer actually who um has been going to different branches with multiple different checks um trying to cash them. Um and I was wondering and you know we actually have the police here because it's we've kind of had the very similar situation a lot of times um where they put money into the account. They have multiple different checks. They hit up all of our branches trying to cash them and then they pull the money out of the account and disappear. Is there any way you can help me verify so like that this is fraud because I have the police here and of course I had your verify that's aka address. She's from Brooksville. I was close. All right. Thank you. Uh Apka is talking to the branch manager of this bank. So Okay. Yeah. I mean they might need to reach out to customer number but I don't know that that phone number is not Oh, you want me to reach out to you can try that number. I just don't know if that phone number is fraudulent, too. You know what I mean? That's the customer. Well, so you're saying the check is fake. I'm saying it might be a real check that was stolen. That's what we think. Let me go get my work phone. Oh, yeah. No, I don't think the check the check is fake. I just think that there's a bunch of stolen checks and they're just going around and try to cash and then what they do is they take the money. Yeah. Yeah, I agree with you. All right. Yeah. No, I agree 100%. Yes. Region. You want that print owner? No. She's a member there. So, do you need this stuff? Do you have an actual phone number for Miss Jones? You know what? Maybe I should Oh, okay. Thank you. This is a number to the credit union. What was it? She's like, "Somebody from Regent's Bank just called us about this woman." I'm like, "Uh, yeah."
Hello. My assistant who's gone today helped her. Hi, I'm looking to for a Sharon. My name's Officer Miller. I'm with the Sarasota Police Department in Sarasota, Florida. I mean, what our corporate security? Well, the reason I'm calling is because we're at a region's bank down here and there is a young lady who's attempting to cash a check from your bank account with your name on it. It's hard to confirm that identification. So, if we're going to write a warrant, we need to Well, yes. So, I guess what I want from you, I understand that you were alerted by your bank back in November to some unusual activity and you said that you weren't writing these checks. Is that correct? And yesterday, she she looked like this. She didn't look like that to me from what I saw. And I And what I can we can also do is run her to see if maybe the vehicle is ready. I mean, there No, I got you. There's there's probably there's definitely three of them cuz obviously you had one in the car. You know, they're probably stolen from traveling up the co. They're probably already in like Naples or trying to hit up there. I don't think they're Oh, you think they were pulled from the trash? Okay. All right. Okay. But just to be clear, you do not know anyone named Serenity. Yeah, they pulled the money out. Look at the account. Well, you could still possibly know a young lady named Seredity. Can I check her account? Okay. Uh, so all right. So, you don't know her and you never wrote her a check. Is that correct? Okay. Turn up. [Music] I keep bag. Yeah, we're going to step in here real quick. Hold on one second. Hold on.
Okay. So, I'm going to assume you know what's going on. I'm going to read you uh your Miranda rights real quick. It's not mine. Okay. Hold on. What's in my purse? What's funny? I'm going to read you your Miranda warning. Okay. Okay. You have the right to remain silent. I'm sorry to say it all. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us? No. I would like to have like a move or something with me. How old are you? 18. Okay. You're an adult. I know. Okay. I have a sister-in-law that works at a correctional facility. Mhm. I would like to get in contact with her. Well, here here's what's going to happen. You're going to be going to jail today. Okay. regarding what's what's going on here. If you like to talk, but I'm still going to go to jail. Yes, you're right. How am I like what's going to happen to me? Well, you're going to go to jail. You're going to be bumped and like women. Yes, you're an adult. Okay. What if they beat me up or something? You'll be protected. Protected. Were your uh were your friends going to come back and get you or were they going? I don't know what happened to me. I was left [Applause] back.
Well, do you want to explain to her what she's being charged with? Uh you're being charged with uttering a forged instrument instrument. So this check right here does not belong to you and was not written to you. Correct. Well, obviously. Okay. Well, that's what you're being charged with. And now I'm going to be charged with the gun because they put a gun in my what? Holy, they did. Yep, they did. Do you want to tell us about this? I think I was set up. You were set up? I don't know. No, this is going wrong. Hey, I'm going to make a phone call that because this is Yep. Can we please call somebody? Hey, a bullet just fell down there. You want to grab that for me? Yep. Okay. So, you wanted a lawyer. You didn't want to speak. So now we're not asking you any questions. Okay. Well, what questions are you going to ask? We I can't ask them because you already determined you did not want to speak to us. No, I don't want this to happen like this. Well, this is happening at this point. I can tell you what you want to ask me about. So, at this point, so I I'll tell you. Please don't talk to me like this. I'm not a bad kid. Okay. Okay. First of all, you're a young woman now. You're not a kid at all. Yes, sir. We spoke to we spoke to No, don't ask questions. Off that desk, please do. I I'm apologize. This just this just escalated. So, Miss that young woman. Yes, sir. Never heard of her. Never heard of you. Certainly didn't write you a check. Okay. So, you're being charged with that? I understand. One was checking the area. Do you have a concealed weapons permit? I do not. So, now you're being charged with carrying a concealed firearm. I understand. Okay. By any chance, are you a convicted felon? No. Okay. Well, then you won't be charged with that. But those are the two charges you're looking. How long have I started that? This isn't crazy. I've never been to jail. I just got out of foster care. Oh my god. I was just out of work at the correctional officer. Back up to 61. How many bullets were in this? It was loaded with one in the clip. Isn't that like extra years every bullet? I don't believe so. I don't believe so. Serial number. Oh. Uh-oh. This just gets worse and worse. What happened? possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. Oh my god. I'm going to have to look it up, but I think that's a charge, too. This is not fair to me. What? Uh, it's an altered serial number. Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number is a charge also, right? Is it? Yeah, it is. What about possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony? That's what I sound like. So, you've got CCW fire. So, you're trying to add to You're going to have like five felony. Why are you trying to make it work? You got uttering seal concealed firearm. I think I missed a beat. I don't know. I'll look it up. A felony with the fire with the farm. Well, how I don't know. She didn't I mean, we'll look it up. I think that's what merely possessing it while committing cuz she's not using it. It wasn't used. You know, it wasn't part of that. So, there's no Well, what are we waiting on now? He's calling C. I mean, we can probably go ahead and load it up. Yeah, I can't I can't run this. I was going to try to run it.
Um I have a question. 61. So being that I've never been in a situation before and this since I know I'm doing it so I take responsibility for it. Even like the gun is crazy. Like this is not fair because I have nothing to do with that. And yeah, I'll take responsibility. But like there's no way I can get out of it because it was in my purse. Listen. At some point, someone's going to question you. Okay. Of course. And if you don't want to talk to us right now, that's that's just fine. I can talk. I like What do you want me to tell you? You didn't want to talk. I want to talk. I didn't know like this was going to happen. This is crazy. Listen, I'm only 18. The law takes this very seriously. When we read you, Miranda, you say you don't want to speak until you have a lawyer. We're pretty much hands off. I didn't mean with a lawyer, but like with like somebody I'm very vulnerable like I've never like I just don't know what to do. Okay. So, are you saying that you do not want a lawyer and you do want to speak to us? But like what is speaking to you mean? Explaining your side of this. Of course I do. I will speak to you and take my side cuz I deserve that. Okay. Your exact words when I held this purse was, "It's not mine." Yes. I said, "What is it?" I said, "What's not yours?" You said, "What's in that purse?" That indicates to me you knew what was in that purse. Yes, sir. Okay. I'm not going to ask you questions, but if you want to tell me a story, go ahead. No, it's it's not a story. I'm I'm saying it is in my purse. Okay. I knew it was in my purse, but like I wasn't using it. I was just You weren't And I'm not accusing you of using it. I know, but like they had just put in my purse for a second. They they What's our status? Are we We're ready to roll. Are we talking now or Well, she she does not want to have an attorney. She wants to tell us her side of it. I mean, I still want an attorney, but I'll talk obviously. Like, I don't You have no obligation to do so. If you talk to us now, you are doing it of your own free will. Of course. Okay. But you suggest like, do you think I should have a lawyer? We don't give legal advice. I don't know what to do. Well, listen, again, you're you are an adult. I think you know what what's going on here. Like officer Mill explained, you have no obligation to talk to us. I can read you your Miranda warning again. I understand my If you'd like to talk to us, you can't. When will I get a lawyer until I go to court, right? You will go to uh outside. Okay. All right. I I'm going to start off with some some basic easy questions. Okay. Um you are you're 18 years old. Is this your correct address here in Brooksville? No, not anymore. No, that was my old foster home. What is your address? Um I don't I just moved there. It's in Wildwood. Um um it's like 32nd place something. It's right next to the villages. My brother Shane Thomas lives there and his wife Nicole Thomas. Is that who was here with you today? No, they they I became like homeless when I got out of foster care and they took me in and I just recently moved with with your brother in the cult. Yes. Okay. All right. So, who who who came in here today when I was when I was coming in and they were walking out. Who was that? That was my friend. What's her name? They call her Dope Boy. I don't know her full name. Is she from uh Is she from up north in Wildwood also? No. Give us more than dope boy. You have part of a name. Give us part of a name. No. Dope boy. That's a that's a nickname. Yeah, that's what they That's what everybody calls. I know. We know that. But is it Britney? You got a first name? No.
This check. Where'd you get this check from? Um, my cousin. Her cousin. Mhm. Okay. And you got you were the one that volunteered to come in and pass the check? Okay. And you knew that this was a stolen check? Well, how did do you know how they got the check? Well, um, they said that it was like a legit like legit job. A legit job. A legit check. But it wasn't obvious. Obviously. But obviously it wasn't legit. You did know that, right? I didn't know it was like this. I didn't know it was fraud. Can I ask? Yeah. Yeah. Do you know Sharon? No. Did you do any work for Shar Sharon? No. Did you sell Sharon an item? No. So, how is it that she came to pay you $65? So, you knew this was a bad chest? No, I didn't know it was this bad. I didn't I didn't like I didn't know it was this light bit. Okay. So, I'm going to push for the gun. You said you told us if they set you up. No, I said I I think I was set up. Like I know the gun was in my purse, obviously. Is that your gun? No, that is absolutely not my gun. Did you put the gun in the purse though? No, I did not put the gun in the purse. Is this your purse? Yes, that is my purse. But you knew the gun was in the purse. I didn't know the gun was in the purse. You said I'm I know you're I did. You did. So you knowingly walked into a bank with a gun in your purse. I'm going to jail for so long. What? Um what was your intentions with the gun? I didn't have any intentions cuz it's not my gun. Like I don't do stuff like this. I would never I would never do anything like that. But I mean, you seem intelligent enough to know that bringing a gun. But I knew I knew I should have took it out, too. But they told me not to let not to let the other person in the car see it. So, I kept it in there to not I'm sorry. Let the other person in the car to not let the other person in the car see the gun. And who was the other person? The cousin. The driver. Yes. Right. So, Dope Boy, is Dope Boy the one who put the gun in the purse? No, there was another person. So, there were four people in the car. No, that's three people. So, the You're talking about the driver? No, I'm saying there's the driver and then there's another person. Okay. So, quoting you, there was four. Oh, yeah. Okay. Two two males, two females, including yourself.
Um, are we all good here? I will handle it. Well, uh, this there's no cash. There's no wallet. Is there a wallet? But you had your ID in here, right? Okay. So, this I think can go with her to the jail. Okay. There's no medication. Say who has your phone? The others. Okay. Is the only nobody here. Like is there a way to do that? I could give you a name and you can find a number in the system. Well, this is how this works. If you want me to reach out to somebody and you're willing to give me their name, maybe you should think a little harder about the three people who were in the car so I can't make a phone. Oh, no. With the jail, you can make all the phone calls you want. Well, that's what I'm talking about. I'm asking if like if I give them a name and they can look up a phone number. I don't think I don't know. Maybe you can ask them. I know if you had a phone, they let you go through your own phone. So, like if I can't come up with anybody's number, I'm just going to be sitting in jail with my buddy. Well, then you'll go to first appearance tomorrow. Tomorrow? And you'll probably be given a bond. Bro, what if people do do me? I don't know. Listen, corrections officers are professionals. They're there to protect prisoners from each other and from the My sister-in-law works at a correctional officer. She Do you know her phone number? No. Who's who who is this young lady? My wife. That's your sister. That's my blood sister. We're going to Oh, you guys one case number. You guys have a thing in there so you guys can call 5284 524. Right. You have my sister's work ID. So you guys can call her, right? Well, we're not Yeah. Once you when you get to the jail, you can call her. Okay. You ready? Yeah. She was charged with forgery, carrying a concealed firearm and possession of an altered firearm. She was sentenced to 18 months of probation and 50 hours of community service. Thanks for watching. Be sure to subscribe for more videos like this.