During the past several months multiple agencies have been investigating thefts, burglaries and identity thefts in the area. On June 10th the Early Police Department received a report from a local bank regarding fraudulent checks being passed, within a couple weeks an individual came forward and stated they had been paid with a fraudulent check. The Early Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s office have been working together to identify suspects in these cases and stop the circulation of the fraudulent checks in connection with other identity theft cases that have came in.

On 06/22/2022 Officers with Early Police Department stopped a vehicle that had paperwork, checks and credit cards from various individuals and not the occupants of the vehicle. The driver of that vehicle, Brianna Yoder was arrested for possession of controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Fraudulent license plate and Fraudulent possession of credit/Debit cards.

After further investigation, on 06/30/22 the Early Police Department obtained a search warrant for 1302 Sherry Lane in Early where officers suspected the fraudulent checks were being made. The search warrant was signed and issued by District Judge Mike Smith. Inside the residence officers located multiple forms of credit and debit cards, social security cards, identifications, numerous fraudulent checks, check making equipment and tax returns in other individuals names. Officers also located multiple pages of personal information with credit card account numbers belonging to individuals across the United States. Numerous items were also obviously taken from trash cans or dumpsters. “We are encouraging people to make sure they don’t throw anything away that may contain identifying information including these pre-approved credit card applications. Make sure you tear up all items with any information and destroy them.”

The investigation is continuing and additional arrest are expected.