14 DAY TRIAL // A series of fraudulent credit card charges tracked back to a Mandeville McDonald's restaurant led authorities to a fraud ring in an investigation that resulted in six arrests so far.
The operation began in the summer of last year, when 19-year-old McDonald's employee Todd Pea Jr., of Lacombe, was recruited into the gang by Christopher Brumfield, 25, of Mandeville.
Pea's role was to steal credit card magnetic strip data from the restaurant's drive-through via a skimming device. Police were able to identify 57 victims so far, but their number is probably higher.
The fraudsters used the stolen information to create counterfeit cards an go on a shopping spree, but not immediately.
In order to not attract attention, they waited for Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, to buy flat-screen TVs, designer clothes, electronics, furniture, tools, lawn equipment and other products.
The goods were acquired from stores in six states, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Texas. The total fraud is estimated at over $50,000.
The investigation was led by the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force in collaboration with the Louisiana State Police, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Secret Service.
Eight people were identified as being members of the gang, but their number is expected to increase. "This is part of a large organization. A lot larger than we initially anticipated,” Trooper First Class Nick Manale told St. Tammany News.
Six were arrested and charged with fraud related offenses so far, Todd Pea Jr., 19, of Lacombe; Christopher Brumfield, 25, of Mandeville; Corey Brumfield, 18, of Mandeville; Sergio Gonzalez, 19, of Covington; Quentin Bienemy, 24, of New Orleans and Andrew Grant, 26, of New Orleans.
Police are still looking for Jamal Kieffer, 25, and David Garrison, 24, both of New Orleans.