Tuesday April 22nd, 2025 5:47PM

Two arrested, one at large in alleged $100,000 Flowery Branch fraud scheme

By Caleb Hutchins Assistant News Director

Two people have been arrested, with authorities searching for a third in an alleged fraud scheme involving a Flowery Branch cellular retail store.

The Flowery Branch Police Department said its officers began investigating after the owners of the store on Spout Springs Road contacted them about suspected fraud.

"Investigators quickly launched an in-depth investigation and discovered that two employees of the store had conspired with a third individual to fraudulently obtain mobile phones using stolen identities," police officials said.

Police estimate the fraud scheme totaled $100,000

The two employees of the store were identified as Connor Vaughn Free, age 22 of Cumming, and Rico Demond Thomas, as 24 of Winder. The third individual, who was not employed by the store, was identified as Kendarius Jawaun Watson, age 25 of Winterville.

Thomas was recently arrested by Barrow County Sheriff's deputies, while Free was arrested by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. Both are facing identity theft and fraud charges, as well as charges of theft by deception.

Watson reportedly remains at large, and is wanted on warrants of similar charges. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Flowery Branch Police by calling 770-967-6336.

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News
  • Associated Tags: Flowery Branch, hall county, fraud, identity theft, Flowery Branch Police Department
© Copyright 2025 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.