Updated 04/28/2008

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced today the arrest of Shirley Harper (DOB 3-27-47 of 540 Drury Drive, Charlotte NC) who has been charged with financial identity fraud, bank fraud and criminal conspiracy – all in connection with the theft of a 70 year-old female victim’s identity and the theft of $86,900 from the victim.

Sheriff Lott stated that upon release of the video surveillance photographs of the suspect committing the crime (to the media/community) the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department was able to assist Richland County investigators in identifying Harper as the woman who went into the victim’s bank, posed as the victim and obtained the funds – Harper is also the woman who went to a separate bank and opened another bank account with the stolen funds. Sheriff Lott stated that warrants were issued for Harper’s arrest and on April 17, 2008 Harper was arrested in Charlotte. Sheriff Lott stated that the investigation has revealed that an employee of the bank assisted Harper with obtaining the victim’s identity and at this time the investigation continues into charges being brought against that individual and possibly other bank employees who may have assisted in this crime. Sheriff Lott stated that the victim has been reimbursed the money that was stolen.

Harper received a $50,000 surety bond (over this past weekend) at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and has been released.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced today the investigation into the theft of a 70 year-old female victim’s identity and the investigation into the use of the victim’s identity to obtain $86,900 from the victim’s bank account. Sheriff Lott stated that a black female, using the victim’s name, Social Security number and North Carolina Drivers License, opened a fraudulent account at a Northeast Richland County Bank with the victim’s money.  A second suspect, a white female, created a second fake identity and then cashed checks in and around Columbia. Sheriff Lott added that surveillance photographs captured the suspects in the commission of the crimes and is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects (the names on the photographs are the identity used by the suspects).