Amber Hope Phelps, 28, of Danville, was arrested in Logan County by Logan City Police Patrolman J.L. Sheppard for seven counts of forgery, seven counts of uttering and 17 counts of obtaining goods under false pretenses on Sept. 22.
According to police reports on July 28, Sheppard responded to a call from the Salvation Army in reference to a forgery and uttering complaint.
"When arriving on the scene, this officer spoke with the store manager. She stated that two young girls, one with brown hair and the other with short blonde hair accompanied by five children came into the store and passed them a check amounting to $81.17," the report states.
"After purchasing a large amount of clothing items, she continued by stating that one of the females answered to 'Beth' and they were operating a white Ford Taurus with temporary registration. She also advised that she heard them state they had previously passed some of the stolen checks at Walmart. This officer then proceeded to Walmart ... and attempted to locate the stolen checks. While at Walmart, this officer spoke with the owner of the stolen checks. She stated that her husband spotted the suspect vehicle at the Mountain Trail Inn in West Logan. This officer proceeded to Mountain Trail Inn. When arriving on scene, this officer observed the suspect's vehicle in the parking lot with a female with blonde hair (Lora Beth Burns) standing beside it.
"This officer asked her if she had been to the Salvation Army today. She replied stating 'Yes, me and my sister (Amber Phelps) just came back from there. This officer then asked if either of them had passed a check there," the report continues. "She then advised this officer that they did pay with a check that was given to her by (another individual) and signed (the victim's) name to it. At Logan City Hall, this officer obtained a written statement from Phelps. She also gave a verbal statement stating that both she and the Burns subject passed six of the stolen checks at Walmart that amounted to a total of $2,677.25 and that Phelps signed (the victim's name to) it along with a return slip that she also signed (with the victim's name)."
Sheppard and West Virginia State Police Trooper Williams then went to the Mountain Trail Inn and gathered several items that was obtained with the stolen checks. Sheppard also obtained copies of six of the forged check slips and one forged refund slip along with video of the two passing the checks. Burns allegedly drove the vehicle to both locations and had prior knowledge that the checks were stolen, Sheppard noted in the report.
A majority of the clothing purchased at the Salvation Army was allegedly for Burns' children and several of the items purchased at Walmart was for her use.
Phelps was arrested and booked at the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden at 6:05 p.m.
Also arrested on Sept. 18, in regards to the same incident, Lora Beth Burns, 27, of Bob White, was arrested on charges of fraudulent schemes, seven counts of forgery and uttering and obtaining goods under false pretenses. She was booked at the regional jail at 2:40 p.m.
Kelly Lynn Stapleton, 37, residence not listed, was arrested by Logan County Sheriff's Deputy N.M. Booth for fraudulent schemes and worthless checks on Sept. 18.
According to police reports, over a period of time, the defendant wrote five bad checks from a closed account totaling $617.64.
She was arrested and booked at the regional jail at 8:30 p.m.
Roger Ball, 47, of Chapmanville, was arrested in Logan County by WVSP Trooper J.R. Brewer for computer fraud on Sept. 18.
According to police reports, on Sept. 17, the victim advised the officer that Ball had stolen his credit card and used it at an area business.
"This officer made contact with the accused, who advised he had used the victim's credit card ... to purchase steaks and cigarettes," the report states. "This officer then placed the accused under arrest."
He was booked at the regional jail at 2 a.m.
Ball is charged with violation of West Virginia Code 61-3C-4. Computer fraud includes: (a) Any person who, knowingly and willfully, directly or indirectly, accesses, or causes to be accessed ...on any computer, computer services or computer network for the purpose of obtaining money, property or services by means of fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises. Computer fraud is a felony, and has a possible fine of up to $10,000 and jail time.
Post a Comment
