Limerick Police exposed a counterfeit American Express Travelers' Cheque scheme at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets on Saturday.
After three calls from three different stores, Detective Matt Daywalt reported that two men were located. According to the Limerick Police Department's Facebook page, the two men were allegedly purchasing items with counterfeit travelers' checks and then returning the items for cash.
Daywalt reports that police found more than forty counterfeit $100 traveler’s cheques recovered from their vehicle and evidence that several cheques had been used at the outlets.
The Secret Service has been contacted but there has been no response yet.
The two suspects have extensive criminal histories.
Suspect Sameem Michael Grant is from Philadelphia and has 12 prior arrests including ones for robbery, theft, assault, drug violations and multiple sexual crimes. He is a Megan's Law listed offender and was on parole.
Suspect Arthur Lee Bethane is from Las Vegas, NV and has ten prior arrests including ones for drug violations, thefts, and forgery.
While investigating the travelers' cheque issue, Detective Matt Daywalt was nearly hit by a car. When stopped, the driver, a Hispanic male, was found to have a blood alcohol level of .173 - twice the legal limit of .08.
The male driver admitted he was in the country illegally and has been detained.
Tim
11:21 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
The outlets seem to be a magnet for crime. They are bringing a lot of dirtbags into Limerick. I guess that comes with the territory. Good job by Limerick PD for nabbing theres guys and I hope they stay safe.
SMYRNA-X
12:31 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Do the outlets actually provide any revenue for limerick. Almost everyday is a new arrest for legit hard criminal. Extra pd manpower, ot, the losses business takes everyday- what a waste of time. In addition to these animals that come from philadephia, or where ever their breed
SMYRNA-X
12:38 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Do the outlets actually provide any revenue for limerick. Almost everyday is a new arrest for legit hard criminal. Extra pd manpower, ot, the losses business takes everyday- what a waste of time. In addition these animals that come from philadephia, or where ever they re breed are completely rude, inapproprate and distgusting. To have them roaming about our community looking for criminal ventures is abosolutely untolerable.
John Q. Public
7:03 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Schuylkill Expressway to 422W is all they need know. The close proximity to that 422 exit makes the outlets an extension of Philly. Also, many Philly residents have enjoyed some success stealing here, so word spread. However, I don't think they are roaming the countryside, although a recent rash of burglaries suggests Royersford and Spring City had attracted a few.
SMYRNA-X
9:23 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Although I have not been there in a while, arnolds, was becoming unbearable. They actually had a bouncer/security on weekends. Camps and groups with little adult supervision would run rampant, destroy the salad bar and be loud. The adults were usually no better. At wawa I have seen gang tags scralled next to pumps. I hope the wegmans shopping center does not invite this element.
leo karpinski
6:32 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Good job LE