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.
Suspects police believe used stolen debit card numbers to buy and return merchandise for cash at Sam's Clubs stores in Buford, Duluth and Snellville.
Click on the photo to see individual pictures of the suspects with descriptions and store location information.
Suspect entered the Sam’s Club at 3383 Buford Drive in Buford on July 7 at around 5:30pm.
Race / Sex: Black / Male
Hair Color: grey
Weight: 210-230 lbs.
Age: 45-50 years old
Facial features: goatee
Suspect entered the Sam’s Club at 1520 Scenic Highway in unincorporated Snellville on July 7 at around 2pm.
Race / Sex: Black / Male
Hair Color: brown
Weight: 200-220 lbs.
Age: 35-40 years old
Suspect entered the Sam’s Club at 3450 Steve Reynolds Boulevard in unincorporated Duluth on July 7 at around 3pm.
Race / Sex: White or Latino / Male
Hair Color: brown
Weight: 190-210 lbs.
Age: 35-40 years old
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/8/331856/police-release-photos-of-thieves-who-targeted-sams-club-stores