GARRETT COUNTY RESIDENT LANDS IN JAIL AFTER ELABORATE SCHEME

(McHenry, MD) - Investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division assigned to the McHenry Barrack contacted twelve different law enforcement officials in twelve different states to arrest a Garrett County man for an elaborate theft scheme crossing state lines.

The accused is identified as Taurus S. Centaur, 48, of Pysell Road in McHenry, Maryland. Police believe Centaur is responsible for numerous fraudulent activities in North Carolina, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Georgia and Maryland. Troopers have identified the value of his fraudulent behavior to be in excess of $150,000 dollars. Centaur is currently being held at a detention center in Cartersville, Georgia.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police were contacted by the Morgantown Police Department in West Virginia three months ago, to assist in a forgery and theft investigation involving Centaur. Centaur was wanted by the Morgantown Police Department on felony theft charges and he was believed to be residing in Garrett County. While in Morgantown, police advised Centaur had fraudulently obtained an IPAD, jewelry and other miscellaneous items utilizing counterfeit checks.

Troopers obtained a search and seizure warrant on Centaur’s residence in Garrett County. During the execution of the search and seizure warrant, troopers uncovered the elaborate scheme by Centaur. Among other fraudulent activities, Centaur allegedly obtained the identity of an inmate currently incarcerated in Maryland, along with documents from the Division of Vital Records, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, a United States Treasury check, scanners and printers. Centaur also possessed over forty sheets of blank check paper and over twenty fraudulent checks that he reportedly created. 

Evidence found during the search and seizure warrant led State Police investigators across state lines. Using the Regional Automated Property Information Database (RAPID) managed by the Maryland State Police, investigators were able to recover a variety of items in a variety of locations. The investigation uncovered additional items purchased using counterfeit cashier checks exceeding $150,000 in North Carolina, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Georgia and Maryland. Some of the items purchased include jewelry and motor vehicles.

Troopers contacted the Georgia authorities providing them the necessary information for the elaborate scheme. Centaur was subsequently arrested in Georgia on fraud charges. 

At this time the Maryland State Police is working jointly with the United States Secret Service and local authorities on the prosecution of Centaur. Additional charges are pending.