The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of Richard Morgan Jr. (22), Kareem Prosper (21) and Terrence Williams (21) all of Jamaica, N.Y. for credit card theft, being in possession of altered credit cards and conspiracy on Thursday.
Police said at approximately 10:00 p.m. , Target security contacted the Fairfield Police Department reporting that three African-American males were in the store and was allegedly attempting to purchase electronics equipment with a variety of different gift cards. When the cashier became suspicious of the transaction, he contacted security in front of the suspects who then immediately left the store. Security was able to monitor the trio’s activities as they entered a 2014 Infiniti in the parking lot and exited onto Route 46. Security updated responding officers who then stopped the vehicle on Route 46.
During the course of the roadside investigation, it is alleged that all three individuals gave different versions relating to their activity inside the Target store. Several gift cards that allegedly appeared altered were found under the control of the trio. All three were then placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. The aforesaid vehicle was impounded.
It is alleged that at headquarters, officers recovered a variety of other cards that were secreted in Morgan’s shoe, Prosper’s sock and wallet and in Williams’ sock. A total of 29 cards were allegedly found amongst the trio. In addition to the cards, it is also alleged that suspected marijuana was found in Williams’ sock.
In addition to the fraud charges Williams was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and Prosper with possession of drug paraphernalia. All three individuals were released on their own recognizance pending an appearance in the Superior Court in Newark on January 29, 2015.
The investigation is ongoing as detectives are waiting to obtain a search warrant for the vehicle and are checking with various financial institutions as to the origin of the numbers found on each gift card.
This is the second such arrest made at the Target store in the last ten days. On January 13, 2015, four individuals were arrested and charged with similar offenses after allegedly being found in possession of over 80 gift cards with altered account numbers on them. “There is no evidence at this point to indicate that both groups are related to each other” said Deputy Chief Anthony Manna. “Hopefully because of the alertness of Target security and the publicity surrounding these two arrests, other individuals engaged in credit card fraud will take note that the Fairfield Police Department will arrest and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law” said the deputy chief.
Picture Order: Kreem (Left), Richard (Top Right), Terrence (Bottom Right)
(It should be noted that the charges against all three are merely allegations and that they are all presumed innocent until they either plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law)