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NEW! Online tip submission: www.birminghamcrimestoppers.org
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Perhaps it's the sour economy driving these cases. Or perhaps it's just an easy way for a thief to shop on someone else's dime. Either way, Crime Stoppers is working to identify and arrest a handful of suspects in two cases of stolen and forged checks.
The first case involves a woman who is accused of stealing a checkbook near the Southside community of Birmingham. Surveilance video shows the woman shopping at Wal-Mart stores in Gardendale and Roebuck.
The white female appears middle-aged and is also seen with a middle-aged white male. Detectives say the man is a "person of interest" as it's possible he does not know what the woman has allegedly done.
Police say the woman has been shopping with the stolen checks at local stores, purchasing items including gift cards. She also asks for cash back, adding to the amount of damage she is accused of doing.
Surveillance images clearly show the woman as she leaves the Gardendale Wal-Mart. She is wearing a white shirt and pants and should easily be recognized by anyone who knows her.
Anyone who can help police identify and/or locate the woman is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777 and provide an anonymous tip. Encrypted tips can also be submitted online by clicking the link above and following the directions on the Crime Stoppers website.
Detectives would also like to identify the man in hopes he can lead them to the woman.
In the second case, a customer is spotted at a Wal-Mart on the east side of Birmingham. The customer is wearing a cap, and police are not sure if the suspect is a man or a woman. The suspect drove away in a white car, possibly a Nissan Maxima.
Police say the suspect is writing checks that were stolen from a woman in Trussville back in February. Crime Stoppers showed video on March 4th of two other suspects wanted in connection with the same theft. In that video, one female suspect was seen wearing a white top and shopping in a grocery store. She was with an accomplice who was also caught on camera.
Detectives say the woman in white had asked the victim how to make brownies. It is believed the victim's checkbook was stolen while she was distracted by the question.
As in the first case, Crime Stoppers hopes someone will recognize either of the three suspects in this second case. Detectives say until they're caught, any other shopper around town could be targeted by any of the suspects in these cases.
When you call Crime Stoppers, you will be given a code number so you won't have to give your name. With your code number, you can check back with detectives to learn if an arrest has been made. If you are the first with information that leads to an arrest, you qualify for the cash reward, and you still will not have to give your name. Also, Crime Stoppers does not call tipsters to court to testify.
Crime Stoppers is a cooperation between local law enforcement, the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and ABC 33/40. Together, our goal is to solve crimes and help make our community a safer place to live. The public is a vital role in this effort, and we appreciate your help.
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