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Quick actions by deputies with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrests yesterday of two New York residents believed to be part of a nationwide scheme involving stolen and fraudulent returns at businesses.
Following a traffic stop in Destin around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon, OCSO deputies recovered thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, clothing, and high-end electronics, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in cash from inside the pair’s vehicle.
The incident started when the man and woman entered the Walmart in Destin and returned an iPad and other items for cash. A second return was attempted, but refused after Loss prevention identified them as being part of a suspected fraud ring.
Deputies spotted the pair leaving in their 2016 Dodge Durango and made a traffic stop in the parking lot of a business at 15015 Emerald Coast Parkway.
An OCSO Corporal asked for consent to the search the vehicle for stolen items and was given permission. They found a bag with more than $50,000 cash and a fraudulent passport for the John Doe male suspect. Another bag had nearly $5000 cash. Deputies also found fraudulent identification for the female, along with the items mentioned previously,
This investigation is ongoing. At this time, 22-year old Mercedes Enskat of New York is currently charged with possession of a forged or stolen identification. The 27-year old “John Doe” suspect, also of New York, is currently charged with using a false id and giving false identification to a law enforcement officer.
They are being held at the Okaloosa County Jail and remain on hold for immigration.
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