The Frederick Police Department’s Directed Patrol Team has charged three adult males who attempted to cash a fraudulent check
On 09-25-2015, officers of the Frederick Police Department responded to the Blue Ridge Bank, located at 18 W Patrick Street, in Frederick City, in reference to a fraud call for service.
Through the initial investigation, it was found a man attempted to cash a fraudulent check at the bank prior to officers being called to the location. When officers arrived, the suspect was still on scene and identified as, Franklin John Ramsey. As the investigation continued, two other individuals were identified as being involved after it was found they first contacted Ramsey in Baltimore, Maryland, and offered Ramsey a job. Ramsey was later brought to Frederick by the two other individuals and asked to cash a check at the Blue Ridge Bank, to which he agreed.
While officers were speaking with Ramsey, Ramsey began receiving phone calls from one of the other two suspects. With the assistance of the Frederick Police Department’s Patrol Division and Drug Enforcement Unit, officers were able to locate the suspects’ vehicle nearby as the suspects attempted to pick up Ramsey. The two other suspects were then identified as, Darius Antwon Harris and Askaree Gillam. All individuals were arrested in reference to the attempted fraud and later transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center for an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. It should be noted when officers searched the suspects’ vehicle, several hydrocodone pills were located in a pill bottle belonging to Gillam; however, the prescription on the bottle was not for the medication.
Officer First Class Carpenter and Officer First Class Dodson were the lead investigators in this case. Through their investigation they were able to determine a similar fraud occurred at the Blue Ridge Bank in Towson, Maryland, which is believed to be related to this incident. Though this case was closed by arrest, the Frederick Police Department has reason to believe there may be additional victims who have accepted fraudulent checks from these individuals in or around the Frederick area. The Frederick Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Officer First Class Sean Carpenter at 301-600-7521 or SCarpenter@FrederickMDPolice.org. Callers may also remain anonymous and contact the Frederick Police Department’s Crime Tip Line at 301-600-TIPS (8477).
Charged:
Franklin John Ramsey
(left photograph)
06-24-1977
Cresswell Road
Brooklyn, MD 21225
Darius Antwon Harris
(middle photograph)
05-06-1994
1st block of Wymae Street
Atlanta, GA 30317
Askaree Gillam
(right photograph)
03-23-1976
200 block of E Wyk Circle
Decator, GA 30032
Charges for each suspect:
(3) Counts of Counterfeit and Fraud Related Charges
(1) Count of attempted theft ($1000 to $10,000)
(1) Count of Conspiracy to each of the above
In addition, Gillam was charged with the following:
(1) Count of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Schedule 2)
Case#: 2015-078938
Incident Type: Fraud
Location: 18 W Patrick Street
Arresting Officer: OFC Sean Carpenter (Directed Patrol Team)
Author of release: Sgt. Jon Holler at 301-600-6388 or JoHoller@frederickmdpolice.org