BANGOR, Maine — A Bangor woman who claimed that her debit card was stolen and filed a police report to that effect used the same card to make purchases and later was arrested, according to police.
Megan Elizabeth McGraw, 26, was charged with aggravated forgery and filing a false public report, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said.
The sergeant said McGraw came into the Bangor police station on Feb. 13 reporting that her debit card had been stolen.
“She gave us some information for us to check on, she filled out a statement,” Edwards said.
After McGraw had filed her report with Officer James Polk, it was reviewed by Sgt. Paul Kenison. On Feb. 15 Polk went to the Walmart on Stillwater Avenue and was able to procure video surveillance of McGraw making purchases with the same card she had reported stolen, Edwards said.
McGraw repeatedly has denied to police that she made the purchases, according to Edwards.
“She’s denied this, but [Polk] has video evidence,” the sergeant said. “She made out a written, signed statement that she was never at Walmart, making these purchases with a debit card that she claims was stolen.”
The investigation was completed on Feb. 22 and McGraw was placed under arrest. In addition to aggravated forgery, a Class C felony, and filing a false public report, a Class D misdemeanor, she was charged with violating conditions of release.
McGraw was taken to the Penobscot County Jail and later released on bail.
Another rocket scientist.
Not a smart criminal. CAMERAS!!!!!!
Those cameras are everywhere, of course when was the last time we read about a smart crook?
Lets report a debit card stolen then use at one of the biggest retail chains in the country, now that’s smart! Did she think they weren’t going to investigate?
Are you trying to tell me walmart is a big chain, i dont think so, just another dumpy store that the employees dont care about customers
Agreed but just because it’s a crappy store doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the largest retailers.
You’re right.
There was a time when Sears was the nation’s (world’s?) largest retailer. Now it’s Squalmart.
Big brother is watching!
Walmart has those new fangdangled cameras too, dam itch !
Alright… what’s the motivation for doing this? Someone help me out here. Why would someone walk into the police station and report a crime in which no such crime has taken place? This seems pretty stupid to me. Was she trying to pull a fast one on Walmart or something… ? I don’t get it.
I’m guessing she figured she would report the card stolen, buy a bunch of stuff and then dispute those charges on her card. Ultimately, trying to get the merchandise for free. Guess she didn’t quite think it all through…
You nailed it :o) I dealt with this a lot when I worked at TD Bank. If a charge is put through and you dispute it and file a police report, the charges are ultimately removed. What most people don’t realize is the police don’t just take your report and call it a day… they in fact investigate it, and they track down every place the card was used (hence the PO reviewing Wal-Mart camera’s)
Very, very sleazy. I’m glad she got caught, a lot of honest people get screwed over by things like this.
just a case of self mistaken identity
Where’s the picture of this mastermind
?
We wonder why things are so high in price. This is a fine example of why. Charge things on a card that was reported stolen and hope to win the dispute. Recovery costs of stuff like that are what adds to everyone elses price of the merchandise.