HOUSTON – More than 40 people suspected of stealing checks and money orders from apartment complex lock boxes have been arrested and charged, but police are searching for more suspects.
Payments were stolen from apartment complexes in about 21 jurisdictions, investigators said.
Houston police said the stolen checks and money orders were "washed" and then counterfeited.
Detectives said homeless people were sometimes recruited to cash the fake tender at check cashing stores.
A multiagency investigation led to the identification and arrest of 22 suspects. Eighteen of those suspects, all charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, were arrested during a warrant sweep on April 18:
- Anthony Anderson, 36
- Dawonna Banks, 23
- Richard Carter, 24
- Marisela Estrada, 32
- Deon Garcia, 35
- William Gaynor, 22
- Errol Goff, 32
- Eddie Lewis, 29
- Tameka Norton, 40
- Domique Powers, 25
- Treai Rhone, 30
- Robert Salinas, 12
- Lois Tezeno, 27
- Howard Turk, 22
- Rita Vela, 28
- Shamon Watts, 29
- Antonio Whitehurst, 25
- Cedric Whitehurst, 28
Police are still searching for five more suspects:
- Melissa Anders, 25
- LaKesha Jackson, 29
- Ellyn Ustica, 38
- Arturo "Cherio" Villarreal, 29
- Lillie Wright, 22
Police said Villarreal and Jackson were last seen driving either a 2002 green, four-door Buick LaSabre with Texas license plate No. BX2 D465 or a beige or tan, four-door Toyota sedan with Texas license plate No. DK3 M752.
Detectives said more than 40 people have been arrested and charged by other law enforcement agencies participating in the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the five wanted suspects, or information regarding other possible suspects, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.