STATE POLICE MAKE FRAUD ARREST

   On August 5, 2011, a female victim filed a complaint with State Police at Troop L in Litchfield regarding suspicious charges to her charge account at a large department store. The victim was alerted by the department store of several suspicious charges against her account. After a review of her account and a check of her credit report, it was discovered that approximately nine fraudulent charge accounts had been established in August 2011 under the victim’s name.

   State Police Detectives from the Western District Major Crime Squad were assigned to conduct this criminal investigation.  Detectives investigating the case were able to recover video surveillance from various stores one of which recorded the suspect and the suspect vehicle leaving the parking lot in a green Jeep with stickers affixed to the rear.

   State Police provided the video evidence to media outlets, and a broadcast of the vehicle and suspect was made to the public asking for public assistance in the identification of the suspect.  Information was developed as a result of the press release. Using this information, State Police Detectives were able to identify the suspect and the suspect vehicle.

   Detectives submitted search warrant applications to Superior Court.  Troopers executed the search and seizure warrants and seized evidence related to this case. Several interviews were conducted and Troopers then submitted an arrest warrant application to Superior Court for the arrest of the suspect.

   On October 19, 2011, accused Tammy L. Tibbs, DOB 04/22/1980, of 226 Vine Street in Hartford, was arrested by troopers at Troop L. She was charged with: one count of Larceny 4^th,  6-counts of Larceny 5^th, one count of Larceny 6^th, and nine counts of Identity Theft 3^rd Degree.  She was processed and released on a $5,000 bond.  The accused TIBBS will appear at GA#17 in Bristol, CT on 10/31/11.

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LT. J. Paul Vance