Interstate Traffic Stop in Putnam County Yields Fraudulent Credit Cards

Putnam County—On Friday morning, May 6, at approximately 9:35, Indiana State Police Trooper Brent Robinson was following a silver 2007 Chevrolet Impala in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 45 mile marker. The Chevrolet Impala was traveling 76 miles-per-hour in a 70mph zone, then suddenly veered into the right lane, without signaling, and abruptly slowed to 50mph. Trooper Robinson stopped the vehicle and during conversations with the driver and three other occupants, noticed signs of probable criminal activity. Trooper Ian Portteus and K-9 “Czar” were summoned to assist with “Czar” giving a positive indication for the presence of illegal drugs inside the vehicle.

During a search of the Impala, trace amounts of Marijuana were located throughout. At various locations in the vehicle, fraudulent credit and gift cards were located. In one hidden compartment alone, 57 fraudulent cards were found in a potato chip sack. It is believed the four were in possession of 64 fraudulent cards and 9 cell phones related to criminal activity.

All four occupants were taken to the Putnam County Jail and all were charged with Fraud, Forgery-Counterfeiting, Forgery, False Informing, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Driver:             Chae M. Byrd, age 19, of Clinton Township, Michigan

Passenger:       Loreese C. Cross, age 27, of Detroit, Michigan

Passenger:       Deandre A. Currie, age 20, of Detroit, Michigan

Passenger:       DeJuan L. Hampton, age 21, of Eastpoint, Michigan

Also assisting were ISP Senior Trooper DuJuan Presley-McFadden and Trooper Yan Dravigne.