Road-tripping thieves with diamond appetite arrested in Minnesota

BURNSVILLE, Minn. (KMSP) - A Florida woman and a pair of Michigan women are accused of using fraudulent credit cards to purchase expensive diamonds and other jewelry at stores in Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota. The string of thefts came to an end when employees at a Jared jewelry store in Burnsville, Minn. recognized the scheme and called police.

The suspects

Brittany Tiaira Douglas, 25, of Southfield, Mich.
Beyonca Lynn Mack, 31, of Taylor, Mich.
Jessica Marie Wallace, 32, of Madeira Beach, Fla.

Warning to jewelry stores

The manager at Jared told police that corporate loss prevention had notified jewelry stores in the region that a woman was going state-to-state and making purchases with a fraudulent American Express card. When the scanned card was denied, the woman would provide a code from her phone to force a successful transaction.

According to the criminal complaint, Mack entered the Jared store in Burnsville on Oct. 19 and asked to look at a diamond valued at $23,000. She told the employee she was traveling with a church group and that her sisters were waiting in the car outside. She then told the employee she would buy the diamond, but left the store after receiving a text message.

Recognizing the behavior was consistent with the corporate warning, Burnsville police were called and all 3 women were arrested. The women are charged with credit card fraud and receiving stolen property.

Other law enforcement agencies in Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri have been notified of the arrests, and more charges against the trio are possible.

Reported fraudulent purchases and attempted purchases

Oct. 13.
Jared Jewelers, Independence, Mo.
1 carat diamond earrings
1.96 carat princess cut loose diamond
Total value of $18,006

Oct. 13.
Kay Jewelers, Independence, Mo.
2 carat Leo diamond ring, valued at $19,999

Oct. 13
Kay Outlet, Kansas City
2.5 carat diamond ring, valued at $16,999

Oct. 14
Jared Jewelers, West Des Moines, Iowa
2.5 carat diamond ring
2 Tag watches
Diamond earring
Total value of $31,000

Oct. 19
Jared Jewelers, Edina, Minn.
Loose diamond, valued at $21,400
Purchase denied

Oct. 19
JB Hudson Jewelers, Minneapolis
Rolex watch
Michele watch
Link-style bracelet for Michele watch
Total value of $11,245

Oct. 19
Kay Jewelers, Eagan, Minn.
Rolex watch, valued at $9,000
Purchase denied