(12-13-18) Last night the Wayne County Sheriff drug enforcement unit made a traffic stop on a rental vehicle and discovered that the two occupants, Mikheil Rizhamdze and Vasil Rijamadze, both of Brooklyn New York formerly the Republic of Georgia, were in possession of (2) Apple TV 4Ks that were determined to be stolen from Wayne Walmart. A search of the car revealed (5) more Apple TV 4K, (8) Windows Home installs and other items that were all new in package and believed to be stolen. Receipts for unrelated items show that the men have visited stores in multiple locations in West Virginia and Kentucky.
Sheriff Rick Thompson stated that the suspects were each charged with petit larceny and conspiracy and more charges are likely pending the investigation.
Sheriff Thompson stated that the Wayne County Sheriff Drug Enforcement Unit located foil sheets that were in a shoulder bag. Deputies cut the bag open and discovered that it had thick foil around the sides. Deputies believe this device is used to get the items out of the store without setting off the security tags. The items recovered are valued at approximately $2,500. Road patrol deputies assisted.
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The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and West Virginia State Police are warning local residents of a new telephone scam after an elderly man from Genoa got a call from what appeared to be the social security. A man posing as Lieutenant Jackson from the Attorney General’s Office spoke with the victim, saying that his social security number would be suspended, his bank accounts would be frozen and he could be held criminally liable if he did not cooperate.
“The male posing as Lt. Jackson gave the victim step by step instructions on how to withdraw his money out of the bank or in this case, use Walmart gift cards to put his money on,” Thompson said.
Sheriff Thompson says the man posing as Lt. Jackson had the victim read the numbers on the back of the gift cars once they were activated and told the victim the Attorney General’s Office would overnight him a debit card so he could have access to his money after they froze his accounts.
The victim lost nearly $1,000 in the scam.
“West Virginia State Police and Wayne County Sheriff Office used the number given by the victim and called to validate the incident. Using a fake name and birthday, the officers were given the same story saying that name had been registered to a vehicle out of Texas used in illegal activity,” according to the release. “The male posing as LT. Jackson spoke with officers and gave step by step instructions on how to withdraw money out and what to do with it.”
The 347-903-1997 number was traced from New York City.
Deputies warn residents not to give any information if you receive calls from this number. Several people have reported getting this call from the Louisa area. When one called the IRS they stated, ” we do not make calls in order to collect money. ” They simply send out letters
