Gaming Enforcement Unit Arrest Four Suspects In Casino Fraud Investigation

State Police Division Of Gaming Enforcement Unit Arrest Four Suspects In Casino Fraud Investigation

Location: Harrington Raceway, Harrington, Kent County, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday April 9, 2010 to Saturday April 10, 2010

Suspects:

Tericka Grady, 33, of 5448 Sidbury Road, Castle Hayne, NC

Dreama Brown, 35, of 18525 US 421, Willard, NC

Mr. Carlos Gause, 35, of 280 Parkhill Ave., Staten Island, NY

Mr. Shariff Thompson, 30, of 394 Bristol Street, Brooklyn, NY

Resume:

The Delaware State Police Division of Gaming Enforcement opened an investigation on April 9th into fraudulent use of credit cards at the cashier cages. The casinos were made aware of a potential scam involving fraudulent credit cards used to obtain cash advances. A review of records at Harrington Raceway and Casino revealed two fraudulent transactions were made on April 2nd, 2010.

On Saturday April 10, 2010 at approximately 2:40 p.m., troopers assigned to the gaming unit received a phone call from Harrington Raceway and Casino reference to a female suspect, later identified as Ms. Tericka Grady, attempting to gain a cash advance in the amount of $1062.99 using a fraudulent credit card. The security staffs at Harrington Raceway and Casino were requested to detain the individual if possible for additional investigation based upon previous reports of suspicious transactions at the cashier cage involving use of credit cards.

Floor security contacted Ms. Grady at which time a male suspect later identified as Mr. Shariff Thompson, abruptly exited the casino in an attempt to evade security. Mr. Thompson entered a gold colored minivan displaying Florida registration and fled the parking lot. State police was advised of the description of the suspect vehicle and registration. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle and a pursuit ensued.

The mini van came to a stop in the area of Bowers Beach Road at which time a second male suspect later identified as Mr. Carlos Gause and Mr. Thompson fled on foot. Both were taken into custody. Further investigation revealed a second female suspect identified as Ms. Dreama Brown who remained in the vehicle and was also taken into custody following the pursuit.

All subjects were transported to Troop 3 near Camden. Troopers learned personal identification cards in conjunction with fraudulent credit cards obtained by the suspects involved. They were allegedly obtaining the credit cards from an unknown third party. Troopers were able to place the suspects in the Dover and Harrington area during the weekend and also the previous weekend (April 2-4). Between both weekends the females made multiple transactions at both Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway and Casino.

Consent to search the property located within the rental car was obtained. In total, $6,708.00 was located on Mr. Gause and $617.00 was located on Ms. Brown. All money was seized by the state police.

Warrants were completed on all four individuals, which were approved through Justice of Peace Court 7. The charges for each individual are as follows:

Ms. Tericka Grady of 5448 Sidbury Road, Castle Hayne, NC

• 1-Count Theft Greater than $1500.00
• 1-Count of Unlawful Use of Credit Card Over $1500.00
• 1-Count of Conspiracy 2nd Degree
• 1-Count Theft Under $1500.00
• 1-Count of Attempted Theft Under $1500.00
• 1-Count of Unlawful Use of Credit Card Under $1500.00
• 1- Count of Conspiracy 3rd Degree

Ms. Grady was processed and arraigned via videophone. Judge Darling issued a $5000.00 secure bond. Ms. Grady was committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Center.

Ms. Dreama Brown of 18525 US 421, Willard, NC

• 2-Counts of Theft Greater than $1500.00
• 1-Counts of Unlawful Use of Credit Card Greater than $1500.00
• 1-Count of Conspiracy 2nd Degree
• 1-Count of Unlawful Use of Credit Card Less than $1500.00
• 1-Count of Conspiracy 3rd Degree

Cpl/1 St. Clair obtained an additional charge of Resisting Arrest.

Ms. Brown was processed and arraigned via videophone. Judge Darling issued a $5750.00 secure bond. Ms. Brown was committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Center.

Mr. Carlos Gause of 280 Parkhill Ave., Staten Island, NY

• 1-Count of Conspiracy 2nd Degree
• 1-Count of Conspiracy 3rd Degree

Cpl/1 St. Clair obtained an additional charge of Resisting Arrest.

Mr. Gause was processed and arraigned via videophone. Judge Darling issued a $2,000.00 cash bond. Mr. Gause was committed to Howard Young Correctional Center.

Mr. Shariff Thompson of 394 Bristol Street, Brooklyn, NY

• 2-Counts of Theft Greater than $1500.00
• 2-Counts of Unlawful Use of a Credit Card Greater than $1500.00
• 1-Count of Conspiracy in 2nd Degree
• 2-Counts of Theft Under $1500.00
• 2-Counts of Unlawful Use of a Credit Card Less than $1500.00
• 1-Count of Conspiracy in 3rd Degree

Cpl/1 St Clair obtained 110 charges on Mr. Thompson as a result of the pursuit. Mr. Thompson was arraigned at Justice of Peace Court 7. Mr. Thompson was issued a $12,075.00 secure bond.

The investigation is presently on going. At the present time the four individuals have been charged in regards to fraudulent transactions that occurred at Harrington Raceway and Casino on 04/09/10 and 04/10/10. These individuals are not responsible for the transactions, which occurred on 04/02/10. Additional charges are pending the review of surveillance tapes and financial transactions at Dover Downs. In addition, the investigation is continuing into identifying the individuals responsible for the 04/02/10 transactions.