A group of Hardee’s employees, along with others, have been charged after police uncovered a scheme in which money taken from customers’ credit/debit card numbers were used bail out jail inmates.

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office says last month, La Porte County Jail Commander, Captain Andrew Hahn, along with other members of the jail administration, noticed “suspicious irregularities” of funds on some inmate’s accounts.  Police say large sums of money were being placed onto the inmates’ communication system — called Securus — accounts from a source outside the jail.  Police say the same inmates were bonding out of the jail almost immediately and leaving with the remaining balance on a jail issued debit card.

As this activity continued to occur, inmate Securus accounts were closely monitored, and Chief of Detectives Captain Andy Hynek was briefed, resulting in him initiating an official investigation.  Police say the investigation uncovered a complex fraudulent scheme involving certain employees of the Hardee’s fast-food restaurant in Michigan City, along with several other subjects being involved.

Police say that in August and September, a few Hardee’s employees photographed credit/debit card numbers of customers that purchased food at the drive-thru window.  The card numbers were then fraudulently used by placing money onto Securus accounts of inmates with low bond amounts.  Police say the inmates were bonding out almost immediately utilizing the fraudulent funds on their Securus account.  The inmates were released with the remaining balance of their Securus account on a jail issued debit card, which police say is normal procedure. After leaving the jail, the former inmates were transported to area ATM’s where the remaining balance on the jail issued debit card was withdrawn.

The investigation uncovered a total of $14,700 in fraudulent charges.  The victims, who originally went to purchase food at the drive-thru of the Hardee’s, are working with their financial institutions to have the funds returned to them.

A list of those charged is below:

  • Darrien R. Ward – Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Prince C. Arnold – Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Kristin R. Vanschoyck – Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Madison M. Zuk – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Anisa C. Higginbotham – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Hollie D. Lachapelle – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Carissa A. Bealor – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Lawrence Armstrong – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Moesha Monique Savanna Payne – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)
  • Dylnn V. Scott – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

Earlier this week, members of the Warrants Division and Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST), along with the assistance of the US Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force, arrested four of the aforementioned subjects.  All the other subjects, excluding Scott, have been arrested as well.

                  Dylnn V. Scott (LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office)

Police say if you know the whereabouts of Scott, you are encouraged to provide your tip (s) to FAST (219-608-9572) or Michiana Crime Stoppers (800-342-7867).