Sterling Heights Looking For 'Mad Hatter' Theft Ring
Police Believe Middle-Aged Women Responsible For Larcenies, Frauds
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- The Sterling Heights Police Department is seeking information pertaining to the identities of a group of middle-aged to elderly women responsible for a series of larcenies and frauds occurring in the area.
Though difficult to tie all of the incidents together, police said they think the group started stealing about one year ago, with the most recent having occurred last week.These incidents often began with the theft of a woman's wallet or purse. Shortly after, the credit cards and checks were used at nearby retailers for merchandise or at financial institutions for cash.
The common factor between the suspects is that they all are wearing hats at the time of the theft and/or fraud, which has caused the group to be nicknamed the "Mad Hatters.""They're mostly middle-aged, older females," said Sterling Heights Police Lt. Luke Riley. "Both white and black, probably half a dozen or so, that we have photos of.
"Surveillance photographs do indicate, though, that the person responsible for the theft is not always the one who uses the stolen items to commit the fraud.One of the financial institutions has been victimized for almost $200,000 and the total figure for all could be as high as $500,000. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sterling Heights Police Department at 586-446-2800.
Police Believe Middle-Aged Women Responsible For Larcenies, Frauds
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- The Sterling Heights Police Department is seeking information pertaining to the identities of a group of middle-aged to elderly women responsible for a series of larcenies and frauds occurring in the area.
Though difficult to tie all of the incidents together, police said they think the group started stealing about one year ago, with the most recent having occurred last week.These incidents often began with the theft of a woman's wallet or purse. Shortly after, the credit cards and checks were used at nearby retailers for merchandise or at financial institutions for cash.
The common factor between the suspects is that they all are wearing hats at the time of the theft and/or fraud, which has caused the group to be nicknamed the "Mad Hatters.""They're mostly middle-aged, older females," said Sterling Heights Police Lt. Luke Riley. "Both white and black, probably half a dozen or so, that we have photos of.
"Surveillance photographs do indicate, though, that the person responsible for the theft is not always the one who uses the stolen items to commit the fraud.One of the financial institutions has been victimized for almost $200,000 and the total figure for all could be as high as $500,000. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sterling Heights Police Department at 586-446-2800.