2 From Michigan Arrested For Fraud
July 30, 2020 at 11:46 p.m.
By Jackie Gorski-
Christy Little, 43, of Niles, Mich., and Russell Melton Jr., 46, of Buchanan, Mich., are both facing a charge of fraud, a Level 6 felony; and theft, a Level 6 felony.
According to court documents, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reference of theft. The victim stated his debit card was missing and could not locate it the evening of May 18. Upon waking May 19, the victim discovered his debit card had been used four times in the amount of $959.94. The victim stated Melton was with him that day and believed he had taken the card without the victim’s permission.
On May 20, KCSO investigator Neil Likens went to Good To Go, Warsaw Express and Lake City Bank, where the card was used, to obtain and review surveillance footage. In the footage from Good to Go on May 19, at approximately 1:16 a.m., a male subject, later identified as Melton, was observed using the victim’s debit card to fill his car with gas.
In Warsaw Express’ footage, according to court documents, there were two transactions at 2:39 a.m. and 2:46 a.m. Melton was observed using the victim’s debit card. Little was later identified as being with Melton during these two transactions.
In Lake City Bank ATM’s footage, according to court documents, Melton is seen using the victim’s debit card to obtain money from the ATM. Melton then hands the money to Little.
When KCSO located Melton and Little at 301 Auditorium Blvd., apartment 2, Winona Lake, court documents state they admitted to using the victim’s card, and Little said she took the debit card and changed the PIN number so they could use it.
Little was booked into Kosciusko County Jail at 2:27 p.m. and Melton was booked at 2:31 p.m. They both have $5,250 bonds.
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Christy Little, 43, of Niles, Mich., and Russell Melton Jr., 46, of Buchanan, Mich., are both facing a charge of fraud, a Level 6 felony; and theft, a Level 6 felony.
According to court documents, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reference of theft. The victim stated his debit card was missing and could not locate it the evening of May 18. Upon waking May 19, the victim discovered his debit card had been used four times in the amount of $959.94. The victim stated Melton was with him that day and believed he had taken the card without the victim’s permission.
On May 20, KCSO investigator Neil Likens went to Good To Go, Warsaw Express and Lake City Bank, where the card was used, to obtain and review surveillance footage. In the footage from Good to Go on May 19, at approximately 1:16 a.m., a male subject, later identified as Melton, was observed using the victim’s debit card to fill his car with gas.
In Warsaw Express’ footage, according to court documents, there were two transactions at 2:39 a.m. and 2:46 a.m. Melton was observed using the victim’s debit card. Little was later identified as being with Melton during these two transactions.
In Lake City Bank ATM’s footage, according to court documents, Melton is seen using the victim’s debit card to obtain money from the ATM. Melton then hands the money to Little.
When KCSO located Melton and Little at 301 Auditorium Blvd., apartment 2, Winona Lake, court documents state they admitted to using the victim’s card, and Little said she took the debit card and changed the PIN number so they could use it.
Little was booked into Kosciusko County Jail at 2:27 p.m. and Melton was booked at 2:31 p.m. They both have $5,250 bonds.
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