A Baltimore police officer was arrested at a Pennsylvania mall on charges of identity theft after allegedly using a fraudulent American Express card to purchase a gift certificate, The Examiner has learned.
Quandra Johnson, a three-year veteran of the force, was arrested at the King of Prussia Mall Saturday after attempting to purchase a $1,000 American Express gift certificate with an allegedly fraudulent credit card, according to police officials in Upper Merion, Pa. She has been charged with five counts of identity theft, they said.
Johnson, a patrol officer in the western district, was arrested after she and three other women were observed purchasing several American Express gift certificates at courtesy counters in the mall, Upper Merion police said. According to the criminal complaint from Upper Merion police, mall security notified detectives that a group of four woman were purchasing multiple American Express gift certificates in similar denominations. The detective detained Johnson and determined the card was fraudulent. Johnson was arrested. The three other women were not charged.
According to Officer Jeff McCabe, Johnson has been charged with two counts of access-device fraud, two counts of theft by deception, five counts of identity theft, receiving stolen property and forgery. McCabe said that Johnson?s name, as well as “Randazzo Incorporated” was printed on the allegedly fraudulent card used to purchase the gift certificates. Several other allegedly fraudulent American Express cards were in her possession, McCabe said.
Bail was set at $10,000.
Baltimore police spokeswoman Officer Nicole Monroe said Johnson?s police powers were immediately suspended pending an investigation.
McCabe said thieves frequently target King of Prussia Mall, the country?s largest retail mall. Buying gift certificates is a common practice for people using fraudulent credit cards.
“Once you get away with getting the gift card, it?s easier to spend the money,” McCabe said.
The incident is still being investigated by the Upper Merion Police Department.
A preliminary hearing for Johnson is scheduled for Aug. 9.
