Duo uses fraudulent convenience checks for SouthPark shopping spree

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fraud suspects using high-end rental cars were caught driving through wealthy south Charlotte neighborhoods stealing mail from residents, according to federal documents.

The suspects went on a SouthPark shopping spree after they obtained fraudulent checks and credit cards obtained from the stolen mail.

Brady Frick and Timothy Canon got away with nearly $93,000 worth of stolen merchandise and cash, according to federal indictments.

Frick and Canon didn't want to stand out, so they rented luxury cars and hit mailboxes at three homes in South Charlotte, according to the indictments.

They took "blank checks, checkbooks and credit cards, used victims' names, credit card numbers and bank account numbers to steal money," the documents read.

They coveted convenience checks, mostly.

"That's a shame," resident Gui Abramo said.

The indictments said the suspects used a stolen American Express Black card to buy a $1,340 Louis Vuitton wallet and $1,250 designer sneakers. They spent $668 at Michael Kors, $584 at Foot Locker and $170 on a pair of jeans.

Better Business Bureau officials said there is little recourse for those alleged victims with stolen convenience checks.

"It's like handing over your checkbook and that money is going to be gone," BBB spokesperson Paige Castrodale said.

The credit card company won't give the money back the way they would if your card is stolen and they may not even warn customers that they sent checks.

People may never know the checks were taken until they see unexplained charges.

"Really, the only thing you can do is keep your eye on the mail,” Castrodale said. “If you get these checks in the mail, shred them."

You can tell your credit card company not to send those checks.

Federal attorneys are trying to round up all of the stolen items and money to pay back the victims.

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