LAWRENCEVILLE - Gwinnett County Police officials hope surveillance photos will lead them to three suspects they believe used stolen debit card numbers at three Sam's Clubs in the county last month.
"The lead investigator in the case believes that this is a group of individuals who are working together," Cpl. Michelle Pihera said.
A representative of State Bank contacted police July 23 to report the fraudulent transactions.
Gwinnett County authorities went public with the photos Wednesday, one each from stores in Buford, Duluth and Snellville.
"They (suspects) come in. They open up a membership in a false name, and then they use a debit card in a false name as well, a stolen credit card number to complete their transactions," Pihera said.
The suspects possibly purchase high-dollar items, such as electronics or household items.
"He (lead investigator) said in cases such as this, one person would go in (and) complete the fraudulent transaction, and then another day, another suspect would go and return those items at a different location and then get the cash back," Pihera said.
While Gwinnett Police are working the three instances in their county, Pihera said the three suspects could be running the scheme in other Sam's Club stores. Pihera said they include businesses in Lithonia, McDonough, Tucker, Marietta, Morrow and Oakwood.
"We need the public's help tremendously in identifying who these suspects are. We don't know right now if they're local to metro Atlanta or if they've come here from a different part of the country or state," Pihera said.
Investigators asked that anyone with information on the crimes contact them.
- Gwinnett County Police Electronic and Financial Crimes Unit: (770) 513-5300.
- Crime Stoppers (to remain anonymous): (404) 577-TIPS (8477) case number: 15-066018
Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.
