A Newnan man has been charged with numerous counts of identity fraud and theft after Peachtree City Police and the Secret service staked out local automated teller machines (ATMs). Gregory Anthony, 40, of Prescott Court, Newnan, was arrested Oct. 22 and taken to the Fayette County Jail, police said.
Public Information Officer Rosanna Dove said the bust happened this way:
“On Oct. 20, 2010, the Peachtree City Police Department received a call from the manager of a local credit union, who advised that she had discovered inconsistencies between the amount of cash that the ATM should contain and what it actually contained.
“A subsequent investigation revealed that a black male had made multiple fraudulent transactions at the ATM over the course of the previous five days. The investigation further revealed that the same individual withdrew funds from the ATM of a neighboring bank. On Oct. 21, 2010, the same individual again withdrew additional funds from an area ATM.
“On the morning of Oct. 22, 2010, officers from the Peachtree City Police Department and a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service conducted surveillance in the area of these banks. The same black male who was identified in the photos from the ATM again made transactions at both institutions.
“Peachtree City officers, with assistance from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a traffic stop with the subject as he attempted to leave the area. … Anthony was then transported to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office to await warrants for numerous charges.
“Investigators from the Peachtree City Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of Anthony’s residence in Coweta County and located a large quantity of financial transaction cards and a significant amount of cash.
“At this time, Anthony has been charged with nine counts of financial identity fraud and two counts of theft by deception. More charges are expected as the investigation progresses.
“As it is likely that Anthony has been committing the same or similar offenses in the area for some time, the investigation into his activities is still ongoing.
“If anyone has information that would assist the Police Department in this or any other incidents, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510 or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline, 770-487-6010. You may remain anonymous,” Capt. Dove said.
